How To grow Shallots

Shallots are easy to grow in a sunny, well-drained garden. They can be planted from bulbs (sets) or grown from seed, with both spring- and autumn-planted varieties available.

Choose a Growing Site

Plant shallots in full sun, ideally where they receive at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Well-drained soil is essential. Shallots do not perform well in waterlogged conditions, and excessive moisture can cause the bulbs to rot.

Prepare the soil well in advance by incorporating compost, leaf mould and other organic matter. In areas with wet winters or heavy soil, improve drainage by:

• Growing shallots in a raised bed
• Mounding or hilling the soil slightly
• Avoiding areas where water collects

Planting Shallot Bulbs

Autumn and winter varieties are commonly planted as dormant bulbs or sets. In Australia, traditional varieties can generally be planted from late autumn through winter, depending on the local climate.

Plant each bulb so that only the tip is just above the soil surface.

How far apart should shallots be planted?

Spacing is important because each planted bulb can divide and produce a cluster of new bulbs.

Allow approximately 15–25 cm (6–10 inches) between plants. Giving plants more space can encourage the development of larger bulbs.

Growing Shallots from Seed

Shallots can also be grown from seed. Growing from seed provides access to a wider range of varieties and can be a cost-effective way to grow a crop.

Unlike a planted shallot bulb, each seed produces one bulb, so seeds are often sown in groups of around 5–6.

Depending on your climate, sow seeds indoors or directly into the garden. Shallot seeds need a soil temperature of approximately 10°C (50°F) to germinate.

In areas with cold or very wet winters, starting shallots in trays can be useful. The young plants can develop a strong root system before being planted into the garden in spring.

Caring for Shallots

Keep the growing area well weeded, as weeds compete with shallots for water, nutrients and light.

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, particularly while the plants are establishing.

In warmer climates, applying mulch around the plants can help conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature.

If flower stalks appear, remove them as soon as possible. This directs the plant’s energy back towards bulb development.

Harvesting Shallots

Shallots are ready to harvest when the leaves begin to yellow and die back.

Use a garden fork to carefully lift the bulbs from the soil, taking care not to damage them.

After harvesting, allow the shallots to dry and cure in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Once properly cured, remove excess soil and store the bulbs in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

Under good storage conditions, shallots can keep for approximately 9–10 months.

Shallot Varieties

The best variety and planting time depends on your climate and whether you are growing from bulbs or seed.

Autumn and Winter Planting

Traditional shallot varieties are generally purchased as dormant bulbs or sets and planted during the cooler months.

• Golden Shallot: A common Australian variety that produces clusters of copper-skinned bulbs.
• Red Shallot: Smaller and sweeter than golden shallots and commonly used in South-East Asian cooking.
• French Echalion (Banana Shallot): An elongated type that produces large, easy-to-peel bulbs.

Late Winter and Spring Planting

Seed-grown varieties can be started in late winter or early spring, depending on your climate.

Examples include:

• Conservor F1: A teardrop-shaped French shallot known for its resistance to bolting.
• Roderique: A traditional French banana shallot grown from seed.
• Golden Brittany F1: A seed-grown Dutch-style shallot.

Climate Zones for Shallots

The difference in growing shallots between Cool/Temperate climate zones and Subtropical climate comes down to temperatures, winter chill, and day length.

Because Cool/Temperate climate has cold winters and distinct seasons, it is much easier to grow both types successfully. Warm, humid climate requires careful timing, particularly for bulb-multiplying types.

1. Autumn/Winter Planting (Bulbs & Cloves)

These varieties need cool weather to trigger “splitting” into a cluster of separate bulbs.

Feature	Melbourne (Cool/Temperate)	Brisbane (Subtropical)
Best Varieties	Golden, Red, French Echalion	Red Shallots (Traditional Asian types tolerate heat better).
Planting Window	May to July (Deep winter planting works well).	April to May (Must plant as soon as autumn cools down).
The Climate Impact	Ideal. Melbourne gets the sustained winter chill these bulbs need to multiply into large, multi-bulb clusters.	Risky. If winter is too warm or short, the bulb may fail to split, leaving you with just one large single onion.
Harvest Time	December to January (Early summer).	September to October (Spring, before severe humidity hits).

---

2. Late Winter/Spring Planting (Seeds)

Seed-grown shallots rely on changing day lengths to know when to stop growing leaves and start swelling into bulbs.

Feature	Melbourne (Cool/Temperate)	Brisbane (Subtropical)
Best Varieties	Conservor F1, Roderique, Golden Brittany	Red/Aromatic seed varieties (Long-day types like Conservor will struggle).
Planting Window	August to October (Late winter to mid-spring).	March to May (Grown strictly as a winter crop, not spring).
The Climate Impact	Excellent. The increasing day length and mild spring weather allow the seeds to mature perfectly by mid-summer.	Difficult. Brisbane’s spring is too hot and humid. If planted in spring, the seedlings rot or bolt (flower) instantly.
Harvest Time	January to February.	August to September.

---

Shallots Or Spring Onions ?

A little confusion exists between shallots and ‘spring onions’.

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

Top Tips

• 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.

Where To Buy Shallots For Planting