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When to Plant Shallot in Hood 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.

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,554 feet, Hood County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Shallot, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Hood County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Hood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~2,152 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Hood 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 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
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

236 days

Growing Tips for Hood 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 Hood County, TX?

Hood 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 Hood County, TX?

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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