aggregatum–Dutch shallots,or A.oschaniniiFrench shallots).
Shallots multiply in the ground like garlic, but the individual bulbs have concentric layers like onions.
Moreover, shallots are generally smaller than garlic bulbs and have a mild onion flavor.
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They are relatively easy to grow.
Be warned that all parts ofAllium cepaspecies and varieties are toxic to pets.
If your store-bought shallots have begun to sprout, though, these will almost certainly work fine for planting.
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Separate store-bought shallots into individual cloves and let them dry out slightly.
Then, plant them as directed below.
Plant shallot sets in late fall, and youll be able to harvest by early summer.
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However, fall plantings dont always work out in the colder parts of this plants growing zones.
You also can plant sets in the early spring to harvest in the fall.
Selecting a Planting Site
Choose a sunny spot of your garden for your shallots.
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Plus, the planting site should have sharp soil drainage and not be prone to flooding.
Shallots also can be grown incontainers.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Shallots are most commonly grown from cloves.
These plants do not need a support structure to grow on.
Shallots can also tolerate a bit of shade, but they might not be as robust.
Soil
Plant shallots in well-draining soil enriched withorganic matter.
They like an acidic to neutralsoil pHof about 5.5 to 7.0.
Water
Shallots need continuous water throughout the growing season especially during dry spells.
Shallot plants prefer soil temperatures from 35 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, as long as they are regularly watered and kept in well-draining soil, shallots are not humidity-sensitive.
Fertilizer
Shallots generally don’t require fertilizer.
However, amending the soil with compost in the spring can help to add nutrients and improve drainage.
However, the manner in which they are used is very different.
Shallots are used for their small but fully mature bulbs, which have a much stronger flavor than scallions.
Harvesting Shallots
Shallots are usually ready for harvesting approximately 100-120 days after planting.
Dig up the whole plant, and shake off excess soil.
Then, place it in a dry, shady spot for a couple of weeks to cure.
After that, remove the roots and tops.
Place them in a mesh bag, and ensure that they have good air circulation.
They are great raw or cooked.
You also can carefully control the plant’s water intake.
A pot that’s 6 inches in diameter is ideal for one clove.
Be sure to space multiple cloves 6 inches apart just like you would when planting in the ground.
The container must have ample drainage holes.
An unglazed clay container is best to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
Water the plant when the soil is dry around 1 inch down.
Pour water slowly over the soil surface until it flows out of the drainage holes, and then stop.
Shallots usually need about 1 inch of water each weekmaybe more in sweltering conditions.
Give container shallots fertilizer in the early spring.
Apply a balanced 10-10-10fertilizer productfor the best results.
Pruning
Cut off flower stalks, so the growing energy goes to the bulbs.
Do not cut the leaves, as they provide energy to the bulb.
Use a shallow tray with a seed-starting mix, and sow seeds only around 1/4 inch deep.
Place the tray in a bright location, and you should see germination in about a week.
Do not let soil dry out.
Harden off seedlings before planting.
Overwintering
Shallot bulbs can overwinter in the ground, as they go dormant for the winter season.
No special maintenance is necessary for them to overwinter, as long as their planting site has good drainage.
Once temperatures begin to warm, the plant awakens, spurring the growing process.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Shallots are subject to many of the same problems as onions.
Neck rot is a soil-borne fungal disease that attacks the neck and leaves of the plant.
Discard the plants, and don’t plant again in the same area for three years.
Watch out for purple blotch and pink root as well.
But plantingcarrotsnearby can deter them.
Moreover, rodents including gophers, rabbits, and squirrels oftendig upshallots to feed on the bulbs.
Exclusion techniques, such as using fencing, are the best way to keep rodents out of the garden.
Shallots should be ready to harvest roughly 100 days after planting.
A single bulb can produce anywhere from four to 12 new bulbs when planted.
Allium spp Toxicosis in Animals.
The Royal Horticultural Society.
Onion White Rot.The Royal Horticultural Society.
Shallots: What They are and How to Grow Them.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Royal Horticultural Society.
