When to Plant Shallot in Illinois
Start Seeds Indoors
Transplant outdoors:
State
Illinois
USDA Zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
Avg Last Frost
Thursday, April 15, 2027
Cities Covered
1286
Illinois Planting Schedule by Zone
Illinois spans 5 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
🌿 About Shallot
Growing Shallot in Illinois: Complete Guide
Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Illinois's last frost. Depending on your zone, Illinois gardeners start seeds indoors between September 20, 2026 (Zone 5a) and October 15, 2026 (Zone 7a), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.
Because Illinois stretches across 5 USDA hardiness zones (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), 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 Illinois'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. Midwest growing seasons are compressed between late spring frosts and fall cold snaps, so timing transplants precisely pays off.
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 Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shallot in Illinois?
In Illinois, start Shallot seeds indoors around null and transplant outdoors around null after your last frost. Illinois spans zones 5a–7a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.
What is the last frost date in Illinois?
Illinois spans 5 USDA zones (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), so last frost dates vary by region. Apple River, Baileyville, Cedarville (5a) sees frost until around Monday, May 10, 2027, while Alton, Cottage Hills, East Alton (7a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Shallot take to grow in Illinois?
Shallot takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Illinois gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.
What USDA zones does Illinois cover for Shallot?
Illinois includes zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Illinois
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Adair | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Addieville | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Addison | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Albany | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Albers | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Albion | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Alden | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Aledo | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alexander | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alexis | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Algonquin | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alhambra | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Allendale | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Allerton | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alma | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Alpha | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alsey | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Alsip | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Altamont | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Alto Pass | 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alton | 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Altona | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alvin | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Amboy | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Amf Ohare | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Anchor | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Ancona | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Andalusia | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Andover | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Anna | 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Annapolis | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Annawan | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Antioch | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Apple River | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arcola | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Arenzville | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Argenta | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Arlington | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Arlington Heights | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Armington | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Armstrong | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Aroma Park | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Arrowsmith | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Arthur | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashkum | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashland | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashley | 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashmore | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashton | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Assumption | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Astoria | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Athens | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Atkinson | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Atlanta | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Atwood | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Auburn | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Augusta | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Aurora | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ava | 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
Showing 60 of 1286 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.