Shallots grow in clumps like garlic and are a great addition to your pantry. Having a milder and sweeter flavour than onions, they break down better during cooking and caramelise well for use in sauces and other cooking.
Planting Calendar
Shallot bulbs are available from late May to mid July and can be planted from winter to early spring. They are usually planted with garlic on the shortest day which is the 21st of June.
Harvest In
6 months
Harvesting is on the longest day of the year (21 December) or as soon as bulbs are big enough. Let the leaves wither back to the neck of the bulb, then pull the bulbs out gently. Dry in the sun or inside on newspaper, in the same way as garlic. Or braid the dried leaves into a rope and hang them in a warm dry place to dry.
Prepare
Position
Shallots are best planted in a warm sunny spot in the garden or large pot.
Soil
When planted into the ground, Shallots like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Living Earth Organic Veggie Mix
Plant
Begin with breaking up the bulbs into small cloves. Place the cloves into the soil (at least 5cm below the ground) leaving the top half of the bulb above the ground with the sprout facing upwards. Leave around 15-20cm spacing between your bulbs so they have space to grow. Once planted, shoots will appear after a month or so. Each bulb produces about 6 to 12 bulbs around it.
Care
Watering
Shallots require adequate watering , but not too much. Soil should be moist but not water logged.
Feeding
Liquid feed with Aquaticus Organic garden Booster fertiliser every 3-4 weeks through spring to ensure a good harvest. Stop feeding about 1 month before harvesting to ensure the bulbs have time to develop.
Protecting
Shallots can be bothered by aphids, mites and thrips attack. Mites cause leaves to have a yellow and green mottled appearance and thrips turn the foliage into a dull grey colour. Spray with Bugtrol to control these insect pests.
Beginner Tip
When storing the shallots ensure that the area is well ventilated and that the bulbs have dried in the sun fully before storing. Moisture can cause fungal infections.
Expert Tip
It is advisable to practice crop rotation every other year or so where you have grown garlic, onions or shallots. This will replenish the soil nutrients and also reduce the possibility of carrying over diseases and pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant shallots?
Plant shallots in autumn or early winter for the best results.
How often should I water shallots?
Shallots require adequate watering , but not too much. Soil should be moist but not water logged.
When are shallots ready to harvest?
Harvesting is on the longest day of the year (21 December) or as soon as bulbs are big enough. Let the leaves wither back to the neck of the bulb, then pull the bulbs out gently. Dry in the sun or inside on newspaper, in the same way as garlic. Or braid the dried leaves into a rope and hang them in a warm dry place to dry.
Do shallots need fertilising?
Liquid feed with Aquaticus Organic garden Booster fertiliser every 3-4 weeks through spring to ensure a good harvest. Stop feeding about 1 month before harvesting to ensure the bulbs have time to develop.
How do I prevent pests and diseases in shallots?
Practice crop rotation, avoid overhead watering, and use organic insecticides if necessary.