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              

(Best months for growing Shallots in Australia - temperate 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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02 Jun 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
The shallots perchased from the super market are now 50mm high.These I soaked in water with a litte thrive for a few days before planting. (arthur the mad gardener)
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05 Jun 11, Cecilia (Australia - temperate climate)
How can you tell if shallots (bought from a supermarket) have been sprayed to stop sprouting?
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22 Feb 12, Jane (Australia - tropical climate)
So, just wondering, do the same rules apply for growing spring onions?
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26 Feb 12, Rae (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought my shallots bulbs last year in Aldi around June/July
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11 Jul 12, Dirk Zwiegelaar (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy large quantities of traditional French shallots to plant? I want to plant quite a large test batch to see how they do in my climate. I am in the Boland area Western Cape.
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25 Nov 15, Sean (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
you ever manage to find shallot bulbs to plant?
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05 Sep 12, Tessa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can we buy tree onions
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07 Sep 12, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had shallots planted for about 5weeks, one pot has little black/grey bugs all over green stems. Can someone tell me what is happening please. Thanks Dawn
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08 Sep 12, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)
They are probably aphids. I have a few on my garlic & onion crop. If there are not too many, just squash them with your fingers, otherwise use pyrethrum
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08 Sep 12, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou
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Showing 51 - 60 of 183 comments
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Wendy, potato onions are still around and in my opinion are the only things that should be called Eschallots, the others are just spring onions or green onions. I originally bought some from a good nursery in Canberra about 4 years ago as bulbs just like you would buy tulips or something similar. A nursery should be able to find you some, they probably just don't bother stocking them as they are 'out of fashion'. I have also noticed recently that there have been some for sale in one of the supermarket chains (safeway or woolworths) in the 'fresh food' section near the garlic. I have hundreds of them in a couple of varieties now as I'm looking at growing some organically for market so If you can't find any I might be able to organise to send you some if you like. Grahame

- Grahame

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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