When to Plant Shallot in Iowa
Start Seeds Indoors
Transplant outdoors:
State
Iowa
USDA Zones
4b, 5a, 5b, 6a
Avg Last Frost
Sunday, April 25, 2027
Cities Covered
934
Iowa Planting Schedule by Zone
Iowa spans 4 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
About Shallot
Growing Shallot in Iowa: Complete Guide
Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Iowa's last frost. Depending on your zone, Iowa gardeners start seeds indoors between September 15, 2026 (Zone 4b) and October 1, 2026 (Zone 6a), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.
Because Iowa stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), 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 Iowa'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. Midwest growing seasons are compressed between late spring frosts and fall cold snaps, so timing transplants precisely pays off.
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 Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shallot in Iowa?
In Iowa, start Shallot seeds indoors around null and transplant outdoors around null after your last frost. Iowa spans zones 4b–6a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.
What is the last frost date in Iowa?
Iowa spans 4 USDA zones (4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), so last frost dates vary by region. Riceville, Toeterville, Arlington (4b) sees frost until around Wednesday, May 5, 2027, while Council Bluffs, Carter Lake, Glenwood (6a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Shallot take to grow in Iowa?
Shallot takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Iowa gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.
What USDA zones does Iowa cover for Shallot?
Iowa includes zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 Iowa
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ackley | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Ackworth | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Adair | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Adel | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Afton | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Agency | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ainsworth | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Akron | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Albert City | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Albia | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Albion | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alburnett | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alden | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alexander | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Algona | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alleman | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Allerton | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Allison | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alta | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alta Vista | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alton | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Altoona | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alvord | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Amana | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ames | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Anamosa | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Andover | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Andrew | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Anita | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ankeny | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Anthon | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Aplington | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arcadia | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Archer | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Aredale | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Argyle | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Arion | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Arispe | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Arlington | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Armstrong | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arnolds Park | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Arthur | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashton | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Aspinwall | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Atalissa | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Atkins | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Atlantic | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Auburn | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Audubon | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Aurelia | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Aurora | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Austinville | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Avoca | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Ayrshire | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Badger | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bagley | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Baldwin | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bancroft | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Barnes City | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Barnum | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
Showing 60 of 934 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.