How to Grow Shallots

Filed under: How to Grow, Tagged as: how to grow, shallots

Shallots are a cool-weather vegetable usually grown from cloves, not seeds. Set cloves in the garden as early as  4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Shallots require a dormant period of about 30 days soon after planting with temperatures between 32° and 50°F. Shallots will grow in soil temperatures ranging from 35°F to 90°F.

 

How to prepare and cook shallots: click here.

 

Learn about spring onions, green onions, and scallions: click here.

 

Description. The shallot is a member of the onion family, a very hardy biennial grown as an annual. Shallots grow to about 8 inches tall in a clump with narrow green leaves and roots that look like small onions, about ½ inch in diameter at maturity. Shallots are more delicate flavored than regular onions. Young outer leaves can be used like chives.

 

Yield. Plant 4 to 6 shallots per household member.

 

Site. Grow shallots in full sun; shallots will tolerate partial sun. Plant shallots in well-worked, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. Shallots prefer a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.8. Shallots will be less flavorful if grown in clay soil.

 

Planting time. Shallots are usually grown from cloves, not seeds. Set cloves in the garden as early as  4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Shallots require a dormant period of about 30 days soon after planting with temperatures between 32° and 50°F. Shallots will grow in soil temperatures ranging from 35°F to 90°F. Shallots are ready for harvest in 60 to 120 days.

Planting and spacing. Set shallot cloves broad end down and cover with ½ inch of soil or less. Space cloves 6 to 8 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Shallot bulbs contain 3 to 4 cloves protected by a brown papery skin. Plant individual cloves.

 

Water and feeding. Keep shallots evenly moist; do not allow the soil to dry out. Add aged compost to planting beds before planting. Side dress shallots with aged compost at mid season.

 

Companion plants. Beets, lettuce, strawberries, summer savory, tomatoes. Do not plant shallots with beans or peas.

 

Care. Keep planting beds weed free so that shallots do not compete for water and nutrients. Bend or "lodge" the stalks when they are 16 inches tall or more; this will force shallots to mature in 3 to 4 weeks. Shallots clumps can be divided into multiple plants every year or two. Do not plant shallots where garlic bulbs have previously grown.

 

Container growing. Shallots can be grown in a 8 inch pot, plant 2 or 3 cloves in the pot. If the weather warms, move containers to a cool spot.

 

Pests. Shallots have no serious pest problems.

 

Diseases. Shallots have no serious disease problems.

 

Harvest. Green shallot leaves can be cut throughout the growing season and used as a seasoning. Be careful not to cut away any new growth coming from the central stem. Bulbs are ready for harvest when leaves yellow, wither, and fall over. Allow harvested bulbs to dry for a month.

 

Varieties. Atlantic (90 days); Atlas (90 days); Dutch Yellow (90 days); French Shallots (90 days); Frog Leg Shallots (90 days); Giant Red (70 days); Golden Gourmet (77 days); Grey Shallot (90 days); Odetta's White Shallot (90 days); Pink Shallots (90 days); Success (90 days).

 

Storing and preserving. Store shallot bulbs like onions in a cold, dry place for up to 6 months. Freeze or dry shallots like onions. Shallot greens will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. Greens can be chopped and frozen like chives.

 

Common name. Shallot

Botanical name. Allium cepa

Origin. Asia

 

How to grow onions: click here.

 

Grow 80 vegetables: KITCHEN GARDEN GROWERS' GUIDE

Posted by Stephen Albert on February 22, 2009 under: How to Grow , Tagged as: how to grow, shallots
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