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 P P          

(Best months for growing Shallots in Australia - sub-tropical 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

06 Jul 09, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Carolyn and St.John, I have found some of the potato onions in the cupboard if you still want some (they were destined for eating (yum)) - I don't have any of the redder French onion variety though. You can email me if you wish at info @ greentemple.com.au
05 Jul 09, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Carolyn and St.John, Sorry I just read this post again after a long time and I just finished re-planting all of the eshallots and potato onions I had left a week or so ago. I have planted a few thousand of each this year and plan to sell some after this harvest. I'm not sure if I would be allowed to send them to WA though as they seem to have restrictions on most plant materials. If you are still interested at after Christmas I can see about getting some to you. Is there some way of doing private message on here?
20 Jun 09, St.John (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, I like Carolyn am chasing some Eschallot bulbs to grow just outside Perth. Does any one have any bulbs to sell or can i just plant the ones i buy at the super market. Any tips would be great, thanks St.John
07 Jun 09, carolyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
HI want to get some shallots- Grahame would love to buy some from you if you happen to see this, or if anybody else has some available. carolyn
30 May 09, melody (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
could anyone tell me where to get banana shallots for growing (long red florence ) red onion?
01 Feb 09, Adam (Australia - temperate climate)
I would love to try growing shallots (not spring onions) in Brisbane but cannot seem to be able to find seeds or seedlings anywhere. Anyone know where I might be able to find these? This is similar to what I am after: https://secure.diggersgardenclub.com.au/c-34-onions-shallots.aspx Thanks Adam
27 Jan 09, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Wendy, potato onions are still around and in my opinion are the only things that should be called Eschallots, the others are just spring onions or green onions. I originally bought some from a good nursery in Canberra about 4 years ago as bulbs just like you would buy tulips or something similar. A nursery should be able to find you some, they probably just don't bother stocking them as they are 'out of fashion'. I have also noticed recently that there have been some for sale in one of the supermarket chains (safeway or woolworths) in the 'fresh food' section near the garlic. I have hundreds of them in a couple of varieties now as I'm looking at growing some organically for market so If you can't find any I might be able to organise to send you some if you like. Grahame
28 Dec 08, Wendy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Does anyone know where I can get bulbs of the old-fashioned allium known as Potato Onion? They form little bulbs around the outside of the mother bulb, usually red-skinned, I've heard they're easy to grow, used to be common but are now rarely heard of. Much appreciated.
10 Sep 08, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
could you please tell me is this easy to grow and if so do you have any tips for me I live in Brisbane and Im ready to plant
29 Jul 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
RayS, allium cepa but the growing conditions are similar for both a.cepa and a.fistulosum.
Showing 171 - 180 of 183 comments

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