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When to Plant Alliums in Burnet County, TX

Burnet County, Texas Zone 8b June

Your June game plan for Burnet County, Texas

June is a pivotal month for Burnet County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs

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Ornamental alliums (Allium spp.) bridge the gap between spring and summer with their striking globe-shaped flower heads in shades of purple, violet, white, and pink. Blooming after tulips have faded, they extend the spring display well into early summer. 'Gladiator', 'Globemaster', and 'Purple Sensation' produce softball-sized heads on 18–36 inch stems, while smaller species create charming accents at border fronts. Deer and rodents shun them completely due to the characteristic onion scent. Dried seed heads provide architectural interest into fall.

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 1,090 feet, Burnet County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Alliums during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Alliums, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Alliums root diseases.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Burnet County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20
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Burnet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Alliums Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (207 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🌸 Bloom: Mar 27 – Apr 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (210 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🌸 Bloom: Apr 3 – Apr 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🌸 Bloom: May 8 – May 29

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 Burnet County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Alliums's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Burnet County is workable for Alliums. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Alliums.

How to Plant Alliums

5"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
8"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 4 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Alliums

11
successive plantings in your 259-day season

Sow every 3.1 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 23.

Alliums Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Alliums

Alliums needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Alliums Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Alliums 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.

Alliums needs ~691 GDD — county provides 5,115 GDD Excellent fit

Alliums Planting Timeline — Burnet County, TX

Alliums Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 11
Fall Sowing October 23 Oct 23 – Nov 6

Plant 5" deep · 7" apart · Rows 8" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing Bloom
December Bloom
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

28–42 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

259 days in Burnet County

Growing Tips for Alliums in Burnet County

Direct sow Alliums outdoors after March 06 in Burnet County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Burnet County's clay soil (38% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Alliums. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 259.0-day season in Burnet County allows multiple plantings of Alliums. Sow every 14.0 days for continuous harvest.

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

General growing tips

Plant bulbs in fall, 3–4 times as deep as the bulb diameter (typically 4–6 inches for large types, 3 inches for small species). Space 6–8 inches apart for standard cultivars. Foliage often looks untidy as it dies back before bloom — plant around perennials that will conceal the yellowing leaves. Excellent drainage is essential; alliums rot in wet soils. Leave bulbs in place for naturalization; divide every 3–4 years when clusters become congested. Deadhead spent globes or leave for ornamental seedheads and self-sowing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Beans
  • Peas

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alliums in Burnet County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Burnet County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Burnet County (Zone 8b). 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 Burnet County, TX. 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.