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              

(Best months for growing Shallots in Australia - temperate 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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06 Dec 10, Godfrey Sutton (Australia - temperate climate)
I have shallots growing like wildfire from a few that i started by using the 'flower tips, small bulbs' that grew on shallots that i planted last year. Should i leave the 'flower tips, small bulbs' this year or are they detrimental to the main shallot, if so how do i handle them, just bend over like garlic etc? ,
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12 Jul 10, rod mcmillan (Australia - tropical climate)
I purchased shallots from the supermarket to plant out, they are only 5-6mm across at the base and multiplying like mad .Could anyone tell me if the bulbs grow bigger for any reason.ie.tempreture
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18 Mar 10, Nancy (Australia - temperate climate)
If the shallots have been treated prior to selling at the supermarket so they wouldn't sprout, then that means they are dead food. Probably not very good for you; the same treatment that killed the bulb could have a bad effect on us. Or at the very least, destroy vitamins and enzymes. I am increasingly growing as much as possible of my own living food--shallots, garlic, onions, potatoes etc.-- without sprout-retardant chemicals.
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06 May 10, Dion (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm trying to 'grow my own' as well, but starting off with green leafy things to get the 'biggest bang' for the effort. Have you seen how much spray is on supermarket silverbeet - awful! Do onions take much room?
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02 May 10, Peter Cresp (Australia - temperate climate)
Where do you buy Shallot to grown can-not find them any where. I live in South Australia
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27 Nov 11, Gorn Graham (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Got mine at Bunnings, How do you know when they are ready for harvesting?
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18 Oct 11, tina green thumb (Australia - temperate climate)
the suppermarket, buy a bunch cut the bottom roots and plant them in your garden. Watch them grow and grow, the best few dollars ever spent..
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16 Jun 10, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Organic food stall central markets
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17 Jan 10, Wendy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Mine grew like the clappers (planted autumn, in Tasmania, treated exactly like garlic which thrives here) but each one threw up a tough flower stalk and didn't form bulbs - now I know why - apparently they only form bulbs above 21 degrees C. May try spring planting next time so they will grow through the warmer weather.
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02 Sep 10, Cygnetian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes, the planting times above are not right for Tasmania . Shallots should be planted in spring in Tassie (as per packet instructions on purchased seed shallots).
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Showing 101 - 110 of 138 comments
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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.

- Wendy

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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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