Shallot in Zone 3a & 3b
Allium cepa var. aggregatum
Yes, shallot grows in zones 3a and 3b. Plant it outside May 9–May 16.
When to plant shallot in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 9–May 16 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 25–Sep 1 (~108 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of shallot in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionMay 9–May 16
- RadishMay 2–May 9
- CabbageMay 16–May 23
- LettuceMay 16–May 23
- BeetMay 9–May 16
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)May 9–May 16
A shallot is an onion that decided to be several onions. Instead of swelling into one bulb it splits into a cluster of small ones, each with a milder, sweeter, more refined flavour than a cooking onion. It's the allium you want raw in a vinaigrette, where a raw onion would take over.
How shallot fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Shallot needs about 108 days from sowing to first harvest.
Shallot planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Jan 25–Feb 1 | May 13–May 20 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 9–Jan 16 | Apr 27–May 4 |
Harvest dates are about 108 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
- Carrot: A peer-reviewed field study (Uvah & Coaker 1984) found intercropping onion with carrot reduced carrot rust fly damage via scent-masking. Shallot is the same species as onion (Allium cepa, just a different cultivar group), so the result should carry over more reliably than most, but shallot itself wasn't the variety tested, so treat the specific magnitude as unconfirmed even though the mechanism should carry over.
Where to buy shallot seeds
Burpee (each supplier's shallot seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing shallot" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Shallot in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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