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When to Plant Shallot in LaGrange 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.

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, LaGrange County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

LaGrange County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

LaGrange County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 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.

Soil Compatibility in LaGrange County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9โ€“7.1) overlaps with Shallot's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Shallot needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,607 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” LaGrange County, IN

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 15

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 Natural rainfall sufficient

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

171 days in LaGrange County

Growing Tips for Shallot in LaGrange County

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after April 28 in LaGrange 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 LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help LaGrange 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 LaGrange County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.