When to Plant Shallot in Chicago, Illinois (60621)

Location

Chicago, Illinois

ZIP Code

60621

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Monday, April 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Monday, February 23, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Monday, May 4, 2026

Based on last frost Monday, April 20, 2026 · Zone 6a

Pro tip: Start Shallot seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Monday, May 4, 2026.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Days to Maturity 90 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 8-21 days

Ready to Plant Shallot in Chicago?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Monday, February 23, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🪴 Vegetative propagation

Propagate vegetatively, not by seed

Shallots are typically propagated by dividing and replanting bulb offsets, not from seed.

Set aside small bulbs from the harvest to replant in fall or early spring for next year's crop.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Chicago, Illinois? +

In Chicago (Zone 6a), start Shallot seeds indoors around Monday, February 23, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Monday, May 4, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Chicago, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Chicago, Illinois (ZIP 60621) is around Monday, April 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6a.

How long does Shallot take to grow? +

Shallot typically matures in about 90 days from transplanting. In Chicago, that means you can expect harvest around Monday, May 4, 2026 plus 90 days.

Should I start Shallot indoors or direct sow in Illinois? +

Shallot should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Chicago, that means starting around Monday, February 23, 2026.

📚 More Shallot Planting Guides

🗺️

Shallot in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6a Shallot Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Chicago

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Shallot in Zone 6a

Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Chicago, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, you should start seeds indoors around Monday, February 23, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Monday, April 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Shallot seedlings outdoors around Monday, May 4, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.