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When to plant Shallot in Pendleton, KY

Pendleton sits in USDA Zone 6b. Plant Shallot between March 27 (after last frost on April 10) and April 17. A second sowing from August 17 to August 31 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Shallot in Pendleton, KY

Henry County, Kentucky Zone 6b June

What to do in June

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Henry County, Kentucky this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: shallot

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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.

Pendleton, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,436 feet, Henry County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Pendleton, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Pendleton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Shallot Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 19

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 Pendleton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Shallot's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Henry County is excellent for Shallot — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Shallot.

How to Plant Shallot

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Shallot Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Henry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,184 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline — Pendleton, KY

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Aug 28
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Henry County

Growing Tips for Shallot in Pendleton

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after April 10 in Henry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 →

When should I plant Shallot in Pendleton, KY?

In Pendleton, KY, plant Shallot after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pendleton, KY for Shallot?

Pendleton sits in USDA Zone 6b. Shallot grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Shallot grow in Pendleton's climate?

Yes — Shallot grows well in Pendleton's temperate climate. Pendleton averages a 199-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Henry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Henry County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Henry County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.