When to Plant Alliums in Walla Walla County, WA
Your June game plan for Walla Walla County, Washington
A quick June briefing for Walla Walla County, Washington gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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.
Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
At an elevation of 3,151 feet, Walla Walla County receives approximately 23.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Alliums during the growing season.
Walla Walla County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Alliums 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 Walla Walla County
How your county's soil matches Alliums's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) overlaps with Alliums's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Walla Walla County is excellent for Alliums — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Alliums will thrive.
How to Plant Alliums
Fall planting: Sow 5 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Alliums
Sow every 3.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 10.
Alliums Water Budget
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 | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 2.2" | 1.5" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1" | 1.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 0.4" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 0.5" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 0.9" | 1.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Walla Walla 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 Planting Timeline — Walla Walla County, WA
Alliums Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom | October 8 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Fall Sowing | September 10 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
Plant 5" deep · 7" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 7a
📆 Growing Season
178 days in Walla Walla County
Growing Tips for Alliums in Walla Walla County
Direct sow Alliums outdoors after April 20 in Walla Walla County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 178.0-day season in Walla Walla 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.
Walla Walla County receives only 24" of rain annually. Alliums needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Alliums in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Alliums in Walla Walla County, WA?
Walla Walla County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Alliums planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Walla Walla County, WA?
Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 15.
Your Walla Walla County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Walla Walla 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.