How to Grow Shallots from Bulbs.

Shallots are an easy-to-grow vegetable with a distinctive flavor that can be used for cooking or pickling. There are many tempting varieties with bulbs in many shapes and sizes. The plants are undemanding and can be grown in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Shallots need a long growing period, but can be intercropped with faster-growing crops.

Growing Shallots from Seed or Bulbs:

Shallots can be grown from seed or more generally from immature bulbs. You can find bulbs at garden centers or even on the Internet.

Most gardeners prefer to start with bulbs because they are quicker to grow, will grow much better in cooler regions, are less likely to be attacked by certain pests and diseases, and need less skill to start than seeds. Seeding was developed for mechanical cultivation and is generally not useful for garden crops.

Add up to two mouthfuls of organic matter such as manure or garden compost before planting and add all-purpose fertiliser.

Shallot seedlings should be 25cm apart in 40cm rows, and bulbs should be planted from mid-November to mid-March. Plant them gently in soft, well-worked soil so that the tip is just above the top and tamp down the soil around them.

If you prefer to start shallots from seed, sow from March to April 1cm deep in rows 30cm apart. Each seed will produce a single shallot. Transplant the plants 3-7cm apart, depending on the final size of the shallots you want to achieve.

ShallotsShallot plant maintenance:

Shallot plant maintenance is not complicated but it is essential, water if the weather is good and above all you should remove the flower tips as soon as you see them.

Common Problems and Concerns When Growing Shallots:

– White rot of shallots and onions:

A sun-borne mushroom can cause yellowing and leaf-flooding in the sun, thereby watering the roots and engulfing the bulbs in the sun. A white, fluffy mushroom will settle at the base of the bulb and will later become covered with small round black structures.

Remedy: There is no chemical cure for white rot of onions when it comes to soil. It is important to avoid introducing it into healthy places. The fungus is carried in contaminated soil, for example on muddy tools or shoes. Be careful in areas where cross-contamination can easily occur, such as rented garden plots.

– Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that damages foliage and bulbs, resulting in poor yields. This is a problem found especially in humid conditions.

Remedy: Avoid this problem by ensuring there is plenty of light and air around the plants by sowing or planting at correct spacings and weeding regularly. Avoid overhead irrigation if possible. Infected leaves can be removed.

Harvesting:

Shallots are ready to harvest when the foliage begins to turn yellow in July. Lift the bulb clusters with a planer, separate them and allow them to dry. Shallots can be stored in trays or bags in a frost-free location