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When to Plant Shallot in Fall River County, SD

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.

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 1,056 feet, Fall River County receives approximately 25.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shallot to ensure they mature before fall.

Fall River County, SD (Zone 4b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Fall River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Shallot

Shallot needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Shallot Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Fall River County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Fall River County, SD

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Oct 1
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

140 days in Fall River County

Growing Tips for Fall River 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fall River County, SD?

Fall River County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fall River County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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