When to Plant Shallot in Maine
Start Seeds Indoors
Transplant outdoors:
State
Maine
USDA Zones
3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
Avg Last Frost
Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Cities Covered
458
Maine Planting Schedule by Zone
Maine spans 8 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3b | Thursday, May 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| 6b | Thursday, April 15, 2027 | — | — |
| 7a | Saturday, April 10, 2027 | — | — |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
About Shallot
Growing Shallot in Maine: Complete Guide
Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Maine's last frost. Depending on your zone, Maine gardeners start seeds indoors between September 5, 2026 (Zone 3b) and October 15, 2026 (Zone 7a), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.
Because Maine stretches across 8 USDA hardiness zones (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight 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 Maine'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. In the Northeast, cool summers and moderate humidity can slow warm-season crops, so choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to maximise heat.
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 Maine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Shallot in Maine?
In Maine, start Shallot seeds indoors around null and transplant outdoors around null after your last frost. Maine spans zones 3b–7a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.
What is the last frost date in Maine?
Maine spans 8 USDA zones (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), so last frost dates vary by region. Clayton Lake, Estcourt Station (3b) sees frost until around Thursday, May 20, 2027, while Matinicus (7a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Shallot take to grow in Maine?
Shallot takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Maine gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.
What USDA zones does Maine cover for Shallot?
Maine includes zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Maine
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbot | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Acton | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Addison | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Albion | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Alfred | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Alna | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Andover | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Anson | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Ashland | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Athens | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Auburn | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Augusta | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Aurora | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bailey Island | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Baileyville | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bangor | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bar Harbor | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Bar Mills | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bass Harbor | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Bath | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Beals | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Belfast | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Belgrade | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Belgrade Lakes | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Benedicta | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bernard | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Berwick | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Bethel | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Biddeford | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Biddeford Pool | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bingham | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Birch Harbor | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Blaine | 4a | Saturday, May 15, 2027 | — | — |
| Blue Hill | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Boothbay | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Boothbay Harbor | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Bowdoin | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bowdoinham | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bradford | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bradley | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bremen | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Brewer | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bridgewater | 4b | Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | — | — |
| Bridgton | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bristol | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Brooklin | 6a | Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | — | — |
| Brooks | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Brooksville | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Brookton | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Brownfield | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Brownville | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Brownville Junction | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Brunswick | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bryant Pond | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Buckfield | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Bucksport | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Burlington | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Burnham | 5a | Monday, May 10, 2027 | — | — |
| Bustins Island | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
| Calais | 5b | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | — | — |
Showing 60 of 458 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.