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When to Plant Shallot in Llano 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.

Llano County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 1,968 feet, Llano County receives approximately 50.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Llano County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Llano County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 1

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,058 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Shallot needs ~1,995 GDD — county provides 4,541 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Llano County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 6

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 8a

Growing Season

239 days

Growing Tips for Llano 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 Llano County, TX?

Llano County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Llano County, TX?

Llano County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Llano County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Llano County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.