When to Plant Shallot in Lehigh County, PA
Your May game plan for Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Each item below is timed to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Time to start shallot inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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.
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.
At an elevation of 376 feet, Lehigh County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.
Lehigh County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Lehigh County
How your county's soil matches Shallot's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.2) is more acidic than Shallot prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lehigh 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 (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Shallot.
How to Plant Shallot
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lehigh 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 Planting Timeline — Lehigh County, PA
Shallot Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Direct Sow | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 27 |
| Harvest | July 20 | Jul 20 – Sep 7 |
| Fall Sowing | August 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | 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
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
187 days in Lehigh County
Growing Tips for Shallot in Lehigh County
Direct sow Shallot outdoors after April 20 in Lehigh 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Shallot in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shallot in Lehigh County, PA?
Lehigh County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lehigh County, PA?
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 24.
Your Lehigh County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lehigh County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.