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      

(Best months for growing Shallots in USA - Zone 5a 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

29 Jul 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
RayS, allium cepa but the growing conditions are similar for both a.cepa and a.fistulosum.
29 Jul 08, RayS (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Shallots have a different meaning depending on which state in Australia you live. Which do you mean, Allium fistulosum, also known as Spring Onions in some places, or Allium cepa Aggregatum Group (formerly Allium ascalonicum), sometimes called eschalots?
28 Jul 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
DavidH, shallots take about 2 weeks to germinate, so you probably won't see anything for another week or so.
28 Jul 08, DavidH (Australia - temperate climate)
i've planted shallots seeds two weeks ago and was wondering how long till i see the seeds germinate?
Showing 181 - 184 of 184 comments

I grew my first shallots and harvesting now. Some of the green stems on each plant have really swollen in one area the green stem, making me think as first time shallot grower that something is inside, but no, there is nothing there. Why have they swollen like that, they are healthy and delicious, the bulb. To add, on only one plant out of several there is a trio of small baby round bulbs on the end of one green stem. What are they and are they potential plants to be planted when it gets cooler?. Its mid January and not all the plant stems have dried and gone brown. I have eaten some or should I keep growing to get them bigger? I don't really want to lose the opportunity keep growing my own shallots. thanks for any tips and advice.

- Jelenka

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