Blog

When to Plant Shallot in Campbell County, WY

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.

Campbell County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,132 feet, Campbell County receives approximately 22.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shallot to ensure they mature before fall.

Campbell County, WY (Zone 4a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Campbell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Oct 25

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 Campbell County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.6) is more alkaline than Shallot prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Shallot.

How to Plant Shallot

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 313 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Shallot

Shallot needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Shallot Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Campbell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Shallot Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Shallot needs ~1,286 GDD — county provides 1,506 GDD Good fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Campbell County, WY

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Oct 7
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

123 days in Campbell County

Growing Tips for Shallot in Campbell County

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after May 20 in Campbell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 123.0-day growing season in Campbell County is tight for Shallot (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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

Campbell County receives only 22" of rain annually. Shallot needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Campbell County, WY?

Campbell County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Campbell County, WY?

Campbell County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Campbell County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Campbell County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.