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 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches 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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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
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03 May 15, Willie Oosthuizen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
We want to buy shallot bulbs Potchefstroom area
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18 Apr 15, Glenn Barkhuizen (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please let me know where to find heirloom shallots to grow. I'm in the Western Cape, near Malmesbury. Email me at [email protected] or phone me at 0725112590. Thank you very much
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22 May 13, Tanja (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I would like to start growing Shallots, I don't have any yet where can I get them from, I have a small holding so I would like quite a lot (100) I would like to start farming with it.................what advice can you give me with regards to preparing my land...........I am busy preparing my land for Tomatoes.........can I do it the same way??
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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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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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Showing 11 - 20 of 20 comments
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Have flourishing shallots I bought at a supermarket. Do I wait until their foliage dies before I pull them out or can I use them now, as I want to do? Love shallots.

- jenny V.

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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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