When to Plant Shallot in District of Columbia

Start Seeds Indoors

Transplant outdoors:

Based on Washington · Zone 8a

Last frost: Saturday, March 20, 2027

State

District of Columbia

USDA Zones

7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Saturday, March 20, 2027

Cities Covered

District of Columbia Planting Schedule by Zone

District of Columbia spans 3 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Start Indoors	Transplant	Example Cities
7a	Saturday, April 10, 2027	—	—	Washington
7b	Monday, April 5, 2027	—	—	Washington
8a	Saturday, March 20, 2027	—	—	Washington, Washington Navy Yard

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

About Shallot

Scientific Name Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Days to Maturity 90 days

Sun Full Sun

Water Regular

Growing Shallot in District of Columbia: Complete Guide

Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before District of Columbia's last frost. Depending on your zone, District of Columbia gardeners start seeds indoors between October 15, 2026 (Zone 7a) and November 1, 2026 (Zone 8a), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.

Because District of Columbia stretches across 3 USDA hardiness zones (7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Shallot needs the indoor head start that District of Columbia's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Shallot requires full sun and regular moisture. Check your local forecast for humidity and heat advisories that may affect timing and pest pressure.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia, start Shallot seeds indoors around null and transplant outdoors around null after your last frost. District of Columbia spans zones 7a–8a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia spans 3 USDA zones (7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Washington (7a) sees frost until around Saturday, April 10, 2027, while Washington, Washington Navy Yard (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Shallot take to grow in District of Columbia?

Shallot takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in District of Columbia gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.

What USDA zones does District of Columbia cover for Shallot?

District of Columbia includes zones 7a, 7b, 8a. Shallot grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

When to Plant Shallot by City in District of Columbia

Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.

City	Zone	Last Frost	Start Indoors	Transplant
Washington	8a	Saturday, March 20, 2027	—	—
Washington Navy Yard	8a	Saturday, March 20, 2027	—	—

Other Plants for District of Columbia

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree Tulip Daffodil Crocus Hyacinth Grape Hyacinth Ornamental Allium Bearded Iris Snowdrop Asiatic Lily Gladiolus Hydrangea Rose Lilac Azalea Rhododendron Butterfly Bush Peony Hosta Daylily Red Maple Japanese Maple Flowering Dogwood Southern Magnolia Eastern Redbud Crape Myrtle Arborvitae Boxwood