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When to Plant Shallot in Burt County, NE

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.

Burt County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 501 feet, Burt County receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Burt County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Burt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Burt County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Shallot Planting Timeline — Burt County, NE

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 10
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

171 days in Burt County

Growing Tips for Burt 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Burt County, NE?

Burt County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burt County, NE?

Burt County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Burt County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Burt County (Zone 5b). 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 Burt County, NE. 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.