Your comments and tips

08 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Very interesting - thanks for sharing. I just grow shallots. Plant 2-3 together and they produce up to 10-15 stalks, eat in about 6-8 wks.

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14 Mar 20, Kiti de Jager (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I haven't bought scallions for years. I just cut off the bottom half cm with the roots, replant roots, and they grow again. Maybe I should get some new ones, just for fun. I also have 2 types, one with just one bulb, the other multiplying like yours. Just divide the bulbs and replant. They will form new clusters.

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16 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have used bulbs from one year to the next for 40 years.

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22 Feb 20, Greg (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, Its now 22 Feb 2020 and I live in Wollongong (temperate region). I'm going to start growing eschalots. I purchased a pack with about 6 bulbs from the local fruit and veg store. Not sure what variety, but they have a brown 'skin' and are a purple/mauve colour when the skin is peeled off. After reading some of the posts ( and the growing guide for temperate regions in Australia) , I see that I can start to plant the bulbs in March through to May. So far so good. I grow all my plants in containers (polystyrene boxes from fruit and veg stores) and raised corrugated iron garden beds (Aldi) For my Ginger, Turmeric and edible Pandanus I use a '50% coir and 50% premium potting mix' for my soil. Coir is a compressed coconut fibre. I got this 'soil recipe from Daleys plants (www.daleysfruit.com.au) BUT they are North NSW Coast and specialise in tropical plants, not eschalots. Will probably test try this soil medium for some of the eschalots but QUESTION : I am wondering what the best soil to use in containers (40cm x 80cm) and raised garden beds (approx size - 210cm x 90cm) ? Thanks in advance. Feel free to comment on any aspect of my post, but I'm mainly after the soil to use.

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13 Sep 20, Debra (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Greg - I am researching for a new vege garden the planting out of shallot seedlings (located in Kiama not far from you) as I've not grown them before and my husband bought a punnet - as a result I read your comment on Gardenate with interest (a very interesting post I might add) given your location. My research has totally confused me re the bulbs - I'm thinking of the shallots we buy in the supermarket. My understanding from the research is the bulbs are formed from mature plants and can be eaten and/or saved for future planting. Do you know how I can grow them to harvest similar to those we buy? Also I have never grown tumeric or ginger before - any tips? :)

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22 Apr 20, Meme (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I haven't tried growing eschalots or onions or garlic before so your tips in your comment are very helpful. I love ginger and hope to grow it when the plants are available again as well as potatoes. Wanting to grow a lot more of the basic staples other than tomatoes lettuce carrot and peas.

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01 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

You could do different mixes of soil, compost, potting mix, coir. The thing is to have good draining soil but still retain some moisture so that you are not having to water all the time.

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24 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)

I grow shallots from Feb to Nov in sub tropical, no reason why you can't I feel. In autumn/winter they stay more like a spring onion (straight) longer but when the weather hots up they go to bulb a lot sooner.

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16 Sep 19, Geoffrey Page (Australia - tropical climate)

Q can I grow shallots using potting mix from Woolworths or do I need to make my potting mix fertilizer???

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17 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I would never recommend potting mix for growing vegetables. With the rising temperature going into spring and summer the attention to watering really increases. Lots of watering leaches out the nutrients from the potting mix. Just my opinion but the supermarket potting mix is pretty ordinary - yes maybe good for potting shrubs etc but not for vegies. If you're going to use it mix it with real soil - with 50% or more soil.

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