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Crop Guide

How to grow shallot

Allium · Water-sensitive · Frost-tolerant

Primary source · UMN Extension ↗
Shallot
Moisture range
25–45%
Days to maturity
60–80
Light
Full sun
Growing Degree Units
1000 · base 40°F
When to plant shallot where you garden
Indoor-start, transplant and harvest dates, counted from your own frost dates.
See planting calendar →
or the link above opens zone 6b to browse.
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Growing notes

Onions are shallow-rooted and require constant moisture for proper growth. Curing is essential if you want to store onions.

Harvest signs

when about half the tops are falling over and dry

▶Planting reference— Depth, spacing, pH, light
Depth
1/4 to 1/2 inch deep for direct seeding, 2 inches deep for transplants
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Spacing
3 to 4 inches apart · Rows: 12 to 18 inches apart for direct seeding, 12 to 16 inches apart for transplants
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pH range
6–7
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Light
Full sun (6+ hr direct)
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▶Pests & diseases— onion maggot
Common pests · 1
Onion maggot: bores into plant stems, causing the plants to turn yellow and wilt ↗

Companions & antagonists

Plant near:CarrotLettuce
Keep apart from:BeansPeas
Tip: Plant sets in early spring; harvest when tops fall.

Common questions

How much water does shallot need?

Shallot is water-sensitive — shallow roots and a steady thirst. Keep soil moisture in roughly the 25–45% range and don't let it dry out fully, or growth stalls and leafy crops turn bitter.

Can I grow shallot in a raised bed or container?

Yes — shallot does well in raised beds and is happy in a decent-sized container too, as long as drainage is good.

Does shallot come back every year?

No — shallot is an annual. It completes its life in one season, so you replant it each year.