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When to Plant Shallot in Bexar County, TX

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.

Bexar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 251 days.

At an elevation of 3,197 feet, Bexar County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Bexar County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
251 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
251 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Bexar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 25

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 286 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~2,074 GDD — county provides 4,957 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Bexar County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

251 days

Growing Tips for Bexar 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 Bexar County, TX?

Bexar County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bexar County, TX?

Bexar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bexar County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Bexar County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.