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When to Plant Shallot in Windham County, CT

Shallots are a gourmet allium prized for their complex, sweet, and mild flavor. Each bulb multiplies into a cluster, making them easy and rewarding to grow.

Windham County, Connecticut is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 110 feet, Windham County receives approximately 41.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Windham County, CT (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Windham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,337 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Windham County, CT

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 16

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Windham County

Plant sets in fall for spring harvest or early spring for summer harvest. Mulch heavily if overwintering. Harvest when tops brown and dry, then cure for storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Windham County, CT?

Windham County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windham County, CT?

Windham County, Connecticut is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Windham County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Windham County, CT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.