Ambition

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Ambition to a garden.

A bold, aromatic shallot with a richly layered flavor that opens sweet and mellow, then settles into a gentle, savory bite.

Ambition forms well-shaped bulbs with a smooth, papery skin and crisp, fine-textured flesh that’s ideal for roasting, sautéing, and brightening sauces—also wonderful for quick pickling when you want a clean, tangy snap. Grow Ambition for a dependable 90-day harvest and a harvest that’s as satisfying to peel as it is to savor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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Ambition Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ambition shallots move from sweet and mellow to a precise savory finish, with flesh that stays fine-textured instead of going mushy. Use them like a flavor engine—roast for silkiness, or quick-pickle for that crisp, vinegar-bright snap that cuts through richness.

Best Uses

slow-roasting until jammy and caramel-sweet for spooning over meat or grains
sautéing into a glossy base for sauces and braises without turning harsh
quick pickling for sharp, crunchy garnish on rich, fatty foods
finely mincing raw in vinaigrettes to keep it bright without overpowering

Flavor Profile

bold allium aroma sweet-then-mellow flavor arc fine, crisp bite with gentle savory bite clean, tangy pickling snap

Kitchen Pairings

butter white wine vinegar thyme gruyere chicken mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I see powdery mildew on Ambition during summer growth?

Powdery mildew shows up as a white, dusty coating on Ambition’s leaves, often after warm, humid days. Remove and discard the worst affected leaves, then improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the soil level (not on foliage). Spray with a labeled horticultural sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product every 7–10 days until new growth is clean, following the label for Ambition’s growth stage.

How often should I water Ambition during the 60–90 day main growing phase?

For Ambition, keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; aim for light, even moisture at about 1 inch deep. In typical warm weather, water about 2–3 times per week, increasing to every 1–2 days during hot spells, and reduce frequency if the top inch stays wet. If leaves wilt in the morning then recover by evening, you’re close—water a bit more regularly rather than soaking less often.

How can I tell when Ambition (90 days) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits/heads reach full size and the color is uniform for the variety, with no lingering green dullness. If you can feel a firm but not rock-hard texture and the crop is pulling away easily from the plant, it’s usually at peak readiness. Use the 90-day timeline as your guide but confirm by size/color first—harvesting early will reduce sweetness and shelf life.