Growing Shallots, also Eschalots

Allium cepa, aggregatum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P           P      

(Best months for growing Shallots in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Plant small bulblets, with stem just showing above ground. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Keep a few for your next planting.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

04 Jan 16, Prometheus (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Gary, yes you certainly can keep the bulbs for next year's planting. The bigger cloves are best for this (you only need a single clove to get an entire bulb / head, like garlic; it's quite magical). Shallots should be harvested once 75%-80% of the tops have browned and fallen over (most of the plant above the soil will look dead). Do be patient, as they tend to swell in size at the very end of their growth cycle and will be smaller if you harvest too soon. Just pull or lightly wash off any large clumps of soil and leave in full sun to dry for about a week. They are then ready to use and should keep for at least a few weeks, if not longer depending on variety. Hope you enjoy your harvest - they are a wonderful vegetable to grow.
31 Dec 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Have just harvested my 2nd crop. The original ones were from Coles supermarket vegetable section. Good luck
07 Dec 15, Sean (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
These are from holland though so not sure if they are radiated. (woolies url here)/store/prod/Food/Food/Fruit-Vegetables-Salads/Fresh-Vegetables/Other-Speciality/French-Shallots-500g/_/A-6009182207966
04 Oct 15, Dan (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Thanks for the gardening help, tips, and reminders. Very helpful.
21 Jun 15, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Elaine, Shallots do not have prominent bulb on the end where Spring Onions do. Never seen Golden ones but if from Bunnings...Best of luck.
12 Jun 15, Elaine Beard (Australia - temperate climate)
I also purchased from Bunnings,Golden Shallots. Am hoping they will do okay as they really are expensive.Oh well, I am a learner at this gardening thing. Why on earth we mix them up with spring onions I shall never understand. :)))
23 May 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
I've read that onions shouldn't be mulched, but garlic should be, What is the rule for shallots? Am planting golden shallots from Digger's.
17 May 15, Bernice Sigley (Australia - temperate climate)
I live close to Bonalbo in northern NSW soil type heavy clayey loam Id like to grow french shallots to harvest the bulb for cooking is there a bulk supplier in Brisbane where i could obtain a few kilos of stock? The area is prone to winter frost but the days are generally warm with wetter hot summers thankoyu
14 Mar 16, Stuart (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have found the best and cheapest bulk supplier are Woolworth or Coles supermarkets less than nursery school by a factor of 4:1 good luck. Stuart Winchelsea Vic
03 May 15, Willie Oosthuizen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
We want to buy shallot bulbs Potchefstroom area
Showing 91 - 100 of 183 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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