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When to Plant Shallot in Wasco County, OR

Shallots are a gourmet allium prized for their complex, sweet, and mild flavor. Each bulb multiplies into a cluster, making them easy and rewarding to grow.

Wasco County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 432 feet, Wasco County receives approximately 35.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shallot to ensure they mature before fall.

Wasco County, OR (Zone 6b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Wasco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 30

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 204 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 1,720 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Wasco County, OR

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 10

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Wasco County

Plant sets in fall for spring harvest or early spring for summer harvest. Mulch heavily if overwintering. Harvest when tops brown and dry, then cure for storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Wasco County, OR?

Wasco County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wasco County, OR?

Wasco County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wasco County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wasco County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.