Blog

When to Plant Shallot in Foard 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.

Foard County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,496 feet, Foard County receives approximately 57.6 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.

Foard County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Foard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 30

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.

Soil Compatibility in Foard County

How your county's soil matches Shallot's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8โ€“7.3) is more alkaline than Shallot prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Foard County is excellent for Shallot โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Shallot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Shallot.

How to Plant Shallot

1"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 637 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Shallot needs ~1,916 GDD — county provides 4,234 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Foard County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 11

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
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

232 days in Foard County

Growing Tips for Shallot in Foard County

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after March 24 in Foard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Shallot in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Foard County, TX?

Foard County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Foard County, TX?

Foard County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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