Growing Shallots, also Eschalots

Allium cepa, aggregatum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Shallots in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Plant small bulblets, with stem just showing above ground. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Keep a few for your next planting.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

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04 Mar 21, Yet (Australia - temperate climate)
what is the sowing method
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05 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you are talking shallot bulbs, dig a furrow with the handle end part of your rake (or whatever) 40-50mm deep, push 3 bulbs into the furrow every 100-150mm. Then push some soil back over them. The top of the bulb should be just under the surface. Give them a good watering. If you like run a little bit fertiliser/Bunnings Rooster Booster in the furrow before planting and scratch it into the soil.
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02 Dec 20, Edward (Australia - temperate climate)
Please advise whether could grow shallots in Noble Park Victoria and the best time to cultivate. Please also advise me how to find bulbs for cultivation. Thank you.
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04 Dec 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Email me - [email protected] if you want some.
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03 Dec 20, Anonymous (Australia - tropical climate)
If you are temperate zone climate - from early Autumn to mid Spring they will germinate.
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30 Apr 20, Mike Goodson (Australia - tropical climate)
The Philippines sebuyas tagolog successfully produces small clumping onions in the tropics. I have grown them in PNG.and used them as an onion substitute. Is there a source of planting material in Australia. I live in Cairns
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01 May 20, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What I call shallots and grow are similar to these. I looked them up on the internet and mine are similar to a photo that shows a couple of purple bulbs with green leaves. I plant 3 bulbs together and when they grow I end up with 12-15 stalks. I eat them when they are like spring onions. If you let them go they will form bulbs. Keep some bulbs from one year for the next year. I could send you some. email [email protected]
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09 Apr 20, Michelle (USA - Zone 8b climate)
When do you plant the shallot seed? Is it recommended to direct sow? If so when? Or is recommended to start indoors (if so when?) and then transplant outside (if so, when?). Thank you
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05 Feb 21, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
A true shallot is grown from bulbs. I plant 3 bulbs together. These can then grow into between 10 and 40 stalks. These stalks will form a bulb if left to do so. I generally pick the stalks before they flower and bulb. I leave the plant to bulb if I want bulbs for replanting and I sell the bulbs to Indian and Asian people for cooking. I believe a spring onion doesn't bulb but has a seed head. Scallions are like a spring onion but do not go to seed. They taste a bit like an onion. You can pick these and replant them, cut most of the top off and plant leaving some stalk sticking out of the soil. In some parts of the world shallots are called multiplying onion, potato onions and I'itoi onions.
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07 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow a product which I know as multiplying onions. These produce small bulblets on top of growing leaves which I retain for seed. This seed in due course produces a cluster of around 5-6
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Showing 11 - 20 of 183 comments
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You found this web site. You put in your climate zone and looked up shallots. Shallots are generally grown from bulbs. I have never tried from seeds because the bulbs are so easy.. Maybe you are talking about spring onions.

- Mike L

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