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When to Plant Shallot in Perry 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.

Perry County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 873 feet, Perry County receives approximately 31 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Perry County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,051 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,342 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, IN

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Perry 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Perry County, IN?

Perry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, IN?

Perry County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Perry County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.