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When to Plant Shallot in Hartley 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.

Hartley County, Texas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 4,344 feet, Hartley County receives approximately 46.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Hartley County, TX (Zone 6b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Hartley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 22

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 381 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Shallot needs ~2,310 GDD — county provides 3,894 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Hartley County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

177 days

Growing Tips for Hartley 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 Hartley County, TX?

Hartley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hartley County, TX?

Hartley County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hartley County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Hartley County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.