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

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04 Jan 13, Schalk (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Just get them from Woolworths and plant. They are unbelievably prolific. But make sure it is SA grown and not imported Dutch Shallots (They have been radiated and wont grow). The SA Grown ones are normally on the shelves from late Autumn to Early Summer.
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06 Jun 13, SUE AURET (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Thank you for the info, I was lucky to find shallots at Woolies yesterday. do we wait for the bulb to shoot before planting?
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29 Nov 12, Sarie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy shallot seeds or bulbs. i live in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, what is on the eastern side of the South African coast.
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07 Sep 12, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had shallots planted for about 5weeks, one pot has little black/grey bugs all over green stems. Can someone tell me what is happening please. Thanks Dawn
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08 Sep 12, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)
They are probably aphids. I have a few on my garlic & onion crop. If there are not too many, just squash them with your fingers, otherwise use pyrethrum
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08 Sep 12, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou
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05 Sep 12, Tessa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can we buy tree onions
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11 Jul 12, Dirk Zwiegelaar (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy large quantities of traditional French shallots to plant? I want to plant quite a large test batch to see how they do in my climate. I am in the Boland area Western Cape.
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25 Nov 15, Sean (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
you ever manage to find shallot bulbs to plant?
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26 Feb 12, Rae (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought my shallots bulbs last year in Aldi around June/July
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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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