How long does it take to grow shallots

Shallots take 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest, depending on the variety and your growing zone. If you plant sets in early spring (zones 3-6) or fall (zones 7-10), you’ll dig bulbs in midsummer. Here’s the breakdown: sets planted in spring are ready in about 90 days; seeds take 120 days or more. For a concrete example, in zone 5, plant sets around April 1, harvest around July 1. In zone 8, plant sets in November, harvest in May. The key is matching the timeline to your climate, so let’s get specific.

The two planting windows: spring and fall

Shallots are day-length sensitive: they bulb when days reach 14-16 hours. That means timing is everything.

• Spring planting (zones 3-6): Plant sets 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Soil temperature should be above 40°F. For zone 5, that’s mid-March to early April. Harvest 90 days later, in July.
• Fall planting (zones 7-10): Plant sets 4-6 weeks before your first hard frost, usually October to November. They grow roots, go dormant, then resume in spring. Harvest in late spring to early summer, about 120 days from planting (including dormancy).

If you’re in zone 6, you can try either, but spring is safer. In zones 7 and warmer, fall planting gives larger bulbs because the plants get a head start.

Variety matters: choose by days to maturity

Different shallot varieties have different timelines. Here are reliable ones with realistic maturity dates:

Variety	Days to maturity (from sets)	Best zones	Notes
‘Ambition’	90-100	3-8	French gray type, stores well
‘French Red’	90-100	3-9	Classic red, spicy flavor
‘Golden Gourmet’	100-110	3-8	Yellow skin, mild taste
‘Camelot’	90-100	3-8	Hybrid, uniform bulbs

If you start from seed, add 30-40 days. Seeds are cheaper but slower: sow indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, transplant out, then wait 120 days total. For most gardeners, sets are easier and faster.

Step-by-step timeline: from planting to harvest

Here’s a week-by-week plan for spring planting in zone 5 (adjust dates for your zone):

1. 2 weeks before planting (mid-March): Prepare soil. Add 2 inches of compost and a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at 1 pound per 10 square feet. Work it in 6 inches deep.
2. Planting day (April 1): Plant sets 1 inch deep, 6 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart. Water in well.
3. Weeks 1-4 (April): Water 1 inch per week if no rain. Mulch with straw to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
4. Weeks 5-8 (May): Side-dress with nitrogen (blood meal) at 1 tablespoon per plant. Keep soil moist. Watch for onion maggots; use floating row covers if they appear.
5. Weeks 9-12 (June): Stop fertilizing when bulbs start to swell. Reduce watering to 0.5 inches per week.
6. Week 13 (July 1): When tops yellow and flop over, stop watering entirely. Wait 2 weeks, then harvest.

For fall planting (zone 8), the timeline shifts: plant November 1, water through fall, mulch heavily in December, then resume watering in March. Harvest in May.

Harvesting and curing: don’t rush the last step

Harvesting is not the end. Curing takes 2-3 weeks, so the full process from planting to storage-ready is about 110-140 days.

• Harvest: Use a garden fork to loosen soil, then pull bulbs by hand. Do this on a dry day.
• Cure: Lay bulbs in a single layer in a warm, dry, shaded spot (70-80°F, good airflow). Leave tops on. Cure for 2-3 weeks until skins are papery and necks are tight.
• Store: Cut tops to 1 inch, trim roots, then store in a mesh bag in a cool (32-40°F), dry place. Properly cured shallots keep 6-8 months.

Tools and costs: what you’ll actually need

You don’t need much, but here’s what I use and what it costs in 2026:

• Shallot sets: $8-$12 per pound (about 50 sets). One pound plants a 10-foot row.
• Garden fork: $25-$40 (I use a Fiskars 4-tine, $30).
• Compost: $5-$10 per bag if you don’t make your own.
• Floating row cover: $15 for a 6x50-foot roll, if you need it for pests.
• Mesh storage bags: $10 for a pack of 10.

Total start-up: $50-$70, but sets and compost are recurring costs of about $20 per year.

FAQ

Can I grow shallots in containers? Yes. Use a pot at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Plant sets 4 inches apart. Expect smaller bulbs, but the timeline is the same: 90-100 days.

Why are my shallots not bulbing? Most likely planted too late or too early. If days are too short (planted in late spring in zones 3-6), they’ll grow tops but no bulbs. Stick to the dates above.

How do I know when to harvest? When 50-75% of the tops have yellowed and flopped over, stop watering and wait 2 weeks. That’s your signal. Don’t wait too long or bulbs may split.

Can I save my own sets for next year? Yes. Choose the best bulbs, store them at 60-70°F with good airflow, and replant next season. They’ll produce, but may be smaller. Buy fresh sets every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.

The bottom line

From planting to harvest, shallots take 90-120 days, plus 2-3 weeks for curing. Plan backward from your harvest date: in zone 5, plant sets in early April, harvest in July; in zone 8, plant in November, harvest in May. Choose a variety like ‘Ambition’ or ‘French Red’ for reliability, and don’t skip the curing step. With these dates, you’ll have homegrown shallots for months. Start this week by ordering sets and prepping your soil.