How to Grow Shallots

Shallots are a small bulb, a member of the onion family. Grown in a similar manner to onions they are widely used in cooking especially french cuisine. A little confusion exists between shallots and ‘spring onions’.

With Shallots we eat the small bulbs, spring onions we eat the leafy growth.

Growing Shallots

Like most members of the onion family shallots are planted mid winter and harvested in summer. In Australia this is true for the cool temperate regions however in warmer area they can be planted in Autumn (march / april). The best time to plant is at the winter equinox, the shortest day of the year, however a few weeks either way will do. They are harvested six months later.

• Prepare the soil by digging over 4 weeks before planting.
• You can dig in a little compost, however do not use high nitrogen manures and other products.
• Shallots are planted using the small single bulbs, which multiply into heads of around 8 – 10 bulbs.
• Plant 15 -20 cm apart, remember that they will multiply as they grow and overcrowding reduces bulb quality.
• Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.

Top Tips for Growing Shallots

• When you harvest them they need to be dried or ‘cured’. A cool shaded position on a wire or wooden rack is best.
• Try not to bruise or cut the bulbs when digging, this leads to rot.
• Remember to save a few medium sized bulbs for planting the next winter.

Shallots for planting are available from the following suppliers

BROERSEN PLANTS
Large range of Perennial and Border Plants including bulbs. Also Vegetable and Berry Fruits plants including, Blueberries, Currants, Raspberries and Strawberries. Rhubarb, Seed Potatoes and many other edible plants for the home garden. Visit the web site for online ordering and catalogue: 
www.broersen.com.au