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
  • "Tree Onions" (commons.wikimedia.org - Liez - CC BY 3.0)

Shallots are grown from small bulbs kept from the main plant. Once they are established, you can keep your supply going indefinitely by saving a few bulblets each year.

A type of small mild multiplying onion, popular in French cooking.

Tree onions or 'walking onions' produce bulbs at the top of the stem.

Shallots are not spring onions and are quite different to the green bunching 'Eschallots' (Allium fistulosum) which, just to confuse us, are also sometimes called 'shallots' in Eastern Australia.

They are more like garlic in their growth as they form a clump of bulbs at the base of the stem.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Shallots

Use in any recipe instead of onions.
Can be cooked whole, braised gently with other vegetables.
Sometimes pickled.

Your comments and tips

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16 Nov 22, Gloria (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted about a dozen shallot bulbs 3 months ago in a slightly raised bed in partial shade Waited for them to start flowering then died back. Today I dug them up and they had not developed shallots. Is this overwatering we had had lots of heavy rain during this period or do they need more sun
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17 Nov 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown shallots for 40 years and I had problems this year when it rained a lot. The tops were wet a lot and died back and the bulbs never developed. They were in good free draining red soil in Bundaberg. Shallots grow best in good rich friable soil. I start planting in March and usually pick the last by late Oct. If you want to eat the stem bulb pick before they start flowering. I have sold a lot of mature bulbs to people who use them in sauces. In the cooler months they stay like a spring onion longer, but in the warmer/hotter weather they go to bulbs quicker. Plenty of sun.
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16 Mar 24, Hong (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
That's great to see that you can grow them well in Bundaberg. May I ask what variety is good for your region? I'm in NNSW but it is still subtropical.
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12 Nov 22, rodney (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted shallots mid August are about 60cms high and flowering, are they ready for harvest
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15 Nov 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes - try and pick just before the go to seed.
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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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Mick, you're going to need to add a lot of manure and compost and if you can get it, bentonite clay (or Richgro's Sand to Soil). The soil in Perth is very, very sandy compared to anything in Queensland and you'll need to build it up a bit. As for nurseries, most Bunnings have a decent selection. Dawson's as well. And there's always someone selling homegrown starter plants at the Canning Vale markets on a Sunday.

- Liz

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