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When to Plant Shallot in Fulton County, IN

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.

Fulton County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 829 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 36 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shallot to ensure they mature before fall.

Fulton County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 29

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.

Soil Compatibility in Fulton County

How your county's soil matches Shallot's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“7.3) overlaps with Shallot's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Shallot โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Shallot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) โ€” Shallot will thrive.

How to Plant Shallot

1"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 815 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Shallot needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, IN

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Sep 12

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

175 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Shallot in Fulton County

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after April 25 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Shallot in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Fulton County, IN?

Fulton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, IN?

Fulton County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Fulton County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.