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When to Plant Shallot in Clay 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.

Clay County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 3,266 feet, Clay County receives approximately 64.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Clay County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~1,916 GDD — county provides 4,288 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
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

235 days

Growing Tips for Clay 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Clay County, TX?

Clay County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, TX?

Clay County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clay 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 Clay County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.