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When to Plant Shallot in Red River 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.

Red River County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 314 feet, Red River County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Red River County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Red River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26

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 ~1,916 GDD — county provides 4,343 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Red River County, TX

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Aug 5

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

238 days

Growing Tips for Red River 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 Red River County, TX?

Red River County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Red River County, TX?

Red River County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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