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 P          

(Best months for growing Shallots in Australia - 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

24 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow shallots from Feb to Nov in sub tropical, no reason why you can't I feel. In autumn/winter they stay more like a spring onion (straight) longer but when the weather hots up they go to bulb a lot sooner.
16 Sep 19, Geoffrey Page (Australia - tropical climate)
Q can I grow shallots using potting mix from Woolworths or do I need to make my potting mix fertilizer???
17 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would never recommend potting mix for growing vegetables. With the rising temperature going into spring and summer the attention to watering really increases. Lots of watering leaches out the nutrients from the potting mix. Just my opinion but the supermarket potting mix is pretty ordinary - yes maybe good for potting shrubs etc but not for vegies. If you're going to use it mix it with real soil - with 50% or more soil.
20 Sep 19, Peter Devenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi anon, I live in a unit and grow all my vegies in Pots on the balcony with great success, however as you stated pots can dry out quickly and nutrients do leech out , i use seaweed mix once a fortnight and dynamic lifter (pelletised) once a month, i also diligently keep an eye on the moisture lvls, i have found using a good mulch about 3 cm deep on top helps with the moisture retention, Happy Gardening. Peter
22 Apr 20, Meme (Australia - tropical climate)
Thanks for this info as I too will be growing a lot in containers as I am older and bending is not an option I have anymore as well as on my knees. Oh for the good ol' days when my body was more able. Regardless growing especially things you love is a great and satisfying project
25 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I fertilise before I plant with straights (chemical fert) and water 3 times a week. My fert costs $1-1.5/kg compared to up to $15-20/kg for some of the small fancy stuff. I do take it that people in units have a very limited growing area. And as I said doing pots requires a lot more attention. I also use mulch around most of my plant. I do 12 pallet size raised garden beds half a year for a school. A 12m x 2m home garden 9 mths of the year. I am presently setting up (and will be the operator) 12 garden beds, each 4.8m x 2.5m for a disable group. I'm just finishing off a 6 bay composting system. They are each a pallet high, wide and deep. Cheers
17 Sep 19, Peter Devenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes you can , however I personally would go with Searles brand, available in 30 or 60 ltr bags, depending on potting mix you might like to add some sharp sand for extra drainage and of course the cheaper potting mixes will require extra fertilizers before planting
21 Sep 19, Peter Devenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I also add a 20ltr mushroom compost and a 1 in 3 mix of sharp sand to help with the drainage to the 60ltr searles premium potting mix, i also use self watering pots for the more susepitable vegies to drying out. happy gardening :)
15 Sep 19, Kathleen Foxwell (Australia - tropical climate)
I have planted shallot seeds. When they are due to be harvested they are only as thick as a piece of 8 ply wool. How do I make them grow bigger?
16 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
For over 50 years my mother and I have always grown shallots from bulbs. Kept some bulbs from one year (from spring crop) for planting the next year - autumn into late winter. A lot of different people have different names for shallots. The way to have good thick stalks is to grow in full sun, plenty of fertiliser and water. If the leaves are a nice deep green colour all is right - if light green yellow - they need fertiliser.
Showing 21 - 30 of 138 comments

Hi Greg - I am researching for a new vege garden the planting out of shallot seedlings (located in Kiama not far from you) as I've not grown them before and my husband bought a punnet - as a result I read your comment on Gardenate with interest (a very interesting post I might add) given your location. My research has totally confused me re the bulbs - I'm thinking of the shallots we buy in the supermarket. My understanding from the research is the bulbs are formed from mature plants and can be eaten and/or saved for future planting. Do you know how I can grow them to harvest similar to those we buy? Also I have never grown tumeric or ginger before - any tips? :)

- Debra

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