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When to Plant Shallot in Brewster 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.

Brewster County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 2,724 feet, Brewster County receives approximately 43.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Shallot may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Shallot will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Brewster County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Brewster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.9-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 2

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 499 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Shallot needs ~2,468 GDD — county provides 5,381 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Brewster County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Brewster 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 Brewster County, TX?

Brewster County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brewster County, TX?

Brewster County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brewster County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Brewster County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.