When to Plant Shallot in California
Start Seeds Indoors
Friday, November 20, 2026
Transplant outdoors: Friday, January 29, 2027
State
California
USDA Zones
5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a
Avg Last Frost
Friday, January 15, 2027
Cities Covered
1234
California Planting Schedule by Zone
California spans 12 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
| 7b | Monday, April 5, 2027 | — | — |
| 8a | Saturday, March 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| 11a | Friday, January 1, 2027 | Friday, November 6, 2026 | Friday, January 15, 2027 |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
🌿 About Shallot
Growing Shallot in California: Complete Guide
Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before California's last frost. Depending on your zone, California gardeners start seeds indoors between September 25, 2026 (Zone 5b) and December 20, 2026 (Zone 10a), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.
Because California stretches across 12 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.
With 90 days to maturity, Shallot needs the indoor head start that California's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.
Shallot requires full sun and regular moisture. California's microclimates vary widely — coastal gardens stay cooler while inland valleys can reach extreme summer heat.
For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of California.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shallot in California?
In California, start Shallot seeds indoors around Friday, November 20, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, January 29, 2027 after your last frost. California spans zones 5b–11a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.
What is the last frost date in California?
California spans 12 USDA zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a), so last frost dates vary by region. Lakeshore (5b) sees frost until around Sunday, April 25, 2027, while Hermosa Beach, Malibu, Venice (11a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Shallot take to grow in California?
Shallot takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in California gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.
What USDA zones does California cover for Shallot?
California includes zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. Shallot grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.
When to Plant Shallot by City in California
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acampo | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Acton | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Adelanto | 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Adin | 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Agoura Hills | 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| Aguanga | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Ahwahnee | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alameda | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alamo | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Albany | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Albion | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alderpoint | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alhambra | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Aliso Viejo | 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| Alleghany | 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Alpaugh | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alpine | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alta | 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Alta Loma | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Altadena | 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| Altaville | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alturas | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Alviso | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Amador City | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Amboy | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| American Canyon | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Anaheim | 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| Anderson | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Angels Camp | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Angelus Oaks | 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Angwin | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Annapolis | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Antelope | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Antioch | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Anza | 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Apple Valley | 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Applegate | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Aptos | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arbuckle | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arcadia | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Arcata | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Armona | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Arnold | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Aromas | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arroyo Grande | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Artesia | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Artois | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arvin | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Atascadero | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Atherton | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Atwater | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Atwood | 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| Auberry | 9a | Saturday, February 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Auburn | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Avalon | 10b | Friday, January 15, 2027 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, January 29, 2027 |
| Avenal | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Avery | 8b | Monday, March 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Avila Beach | 10a | Monday, January 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Azusa | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Badger | 9b | Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | — | — |
Showing 60 of 1234 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.