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When to Plant Shallot in Brooks 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.

Brooks County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 10 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 306 days.

At an elevation of 2,752 feet, Brooks County receives approximately 64.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 104ยฐF, so Shallot may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Brooks County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
306 days
Last Spring Frost February 10
306 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13

Brooks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 22 Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 24

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,141 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~2,940 GDD — county provides 8,596 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Brooks County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 13 Jan 13 โ€“ Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Direct Sow January 20 Jan 20 โ€“ Feb 10
Fall Sowing October 18 Oct 18 โ€“ Nov 1
Harvest May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

306 days

Growing Tips for Brooks 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 Brooks County, TX?

Brooks County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 10. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brooks County, TX?

Brooks County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 10 and first fall frost is December 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brooks County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Brooks County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.