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When to plant Shallot in St. Clair County County,

For Shallot in St. Clair County County, the safe spring window opens around March 25 and closes around April 15. Last expected frost is April 8, first fall frost October 26, giving a 201-day growing season. A second sowing from August 17 to August 31 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Shallot in St. Clair County, MO

St. Clair County, Missouri Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for St. Clair County, Missouri

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

St. Clair County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 699 feet, St. Clair County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

St. Clair County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

St. Clair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Shallot Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 6

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 St. Clair County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) overlaps with Shallot's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Shallot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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
0.9″/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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in St. Clair 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 ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline — St. Clair County, MO

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Aug 26
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

201 days in St. Clair County

Growing Tips for Shallot in St. Clair County

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after April 08 in St. Clair 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in St. Clair County, MO?

St. Clair County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Clair County, MO?

St. Clair County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Shallot in St. Clair County, ?

In St. Clair County, , plant Shallot after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is St. Clair County, for Shallot?

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

Can Shallot grow in St. Clair County's climate?

Yes — Shallot grows well in St. Clair County's temperate climate. St. Clair County averages a 201-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your St. Clair County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Clair 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 St. Clair County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.