When to Plant Shallot in Montana
Start Seeds Indoors
Transplant outdoors:
State
Montana
USDA Zones
3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
Avg Last Frost
Monday, May 10, 2027
Cities Covered
360
Montana Planting Schedule by Zone
Montana spans 7 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3b | Thursday, May 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
About Shallot
Growing Shallot in Montana: Complete Guide
Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Montana's last frost. Depending on your zone, Montana gardeners start seeds indoors between September 5, 2026 (Zone 3b) and October 10, 2026 (Zone 6b), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.
Because Montana stretches across 7 USDA hardiness zones (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b), 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 Montana'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. Mountain-state gardens contend with short seasons and intense UV at elevation — cold nights can persist well into June at higher altitudes.
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 Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shallot in Montana?
In Montana, start Shallot seeds indoors around null and transplant outdoors around null after your last frost. Montana spans zones 3b–6b, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.
What is the last frost date in Montana?
Montana spans 7 USDA zones (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b), so last frost dates vary by region. Antelope, Dagmar, Glentana (3b) sees frost until around Thursday, May 20, 2027, while Heron (6b) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Shallot take to grow in Montana?
Shallot takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Montana gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.
What USDA zones does Montana cover for Shallot?
Montana includes zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. 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 Montana
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absarokee | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Acton | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alberton | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alder | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alzada | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Anaconda | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Angela | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Antelope | 3b | Thursday, May 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Arlee | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashland | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Augusta | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Avon | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Babb | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Bainville | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Baker | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Ballantine | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Basin | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bearcreek | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Belfry | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Belgrade | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Belt | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Biddle | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Big Arm | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Big Sandy | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Big Sky | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Big Timber | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bigfork | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bighorn | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Billings | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Birney | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Black Eagle | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Bloomfield | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Bonner | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Boulder | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Box Elder | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Boyd | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Boyes | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Bozeman | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Brady | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Bridger | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Broadus | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Broadview | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Brockton | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Brockway | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Browning | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Brusett | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Buffalo | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Busby | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Butte | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bynum | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Cameron | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Canyon Creek | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Capitol | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Cardwell | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Carter | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Cascade | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Charlo | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Chester | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Chinook | 3b | Thursday, May 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Choteau | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
Showing 60 of 360 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.