How to Grow Shallots
Instruction & Advice for Growing a Shallot Patch
in Your Vegetable Garden
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
*** EASY TO GROW ***
Shallots (not to be confused with Scallions – which are young green onions) are a form of onion that’s similar in shape to garlic. Like garlic, this vegetable has bulbs with cloves, but instead has a subtle, delicate onion flavor. Young (tender) shallot leaves can be eaten as you would chives or scallions.
When gardening shallots, keep in mind that they have a very shallow root structure. This means that you will need to be gentle in removing weeds, so not to disturb this vegetable's roots.
Nutrition Information: (back to top)
Under optimal growing conditions, shallots offer: Vitamin C, A, B6, Folate, Manganese and Potassium
Climate & Growing Conditions: (back to top)
Shallots will grow in nearly any gardening climate. They perform well in either full sunshine or in part shade.
How to Prepare the Garden Soil: (back to top)
A few weeks before planting, dig a healthy amount of rotted manure and compost into your garden bed. In addition to adding nutrients, it will help make the soil friable (loose and crumbly) which will allow the shallot roots to grow properly. For optimal growing conditions, prepare the garden plot soil to a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0. (Instructions for testing your garden soil pH level)
How to Plant Shallots: (back to top)
Shallots don’t produce reliable seeds, so they are propagated by replanting the cloves from the parent plant, as you do with garlic.
If you’re planning to harvest them while they’re young, plant the cloves 2” deep. After the plant appears, hill the garden soil around the stem as it grows.
If you’re planning to harvest when the shallot plant is more mature, plant it shallowly so that the clove is level with the top of the soil. As the stem grows, hill the garden soil around the stem.
For both, plant with 6” space around the this vegetable to avoid problems with overcrowding and to allow room to grow.
How to Water: (back to top)
Keep the soil moist (but not soggy) with regular watering.
How to Fertilize: (back to top)
You can fertilize as the plant grows, but too much fertilizer tends to promote top growth, rather than bulb growth. If you prepare the soil properly before planting your shallot crop, you'll likely not need additional fertilizer.
Gardening Challenges: (back to top)
Shallots experience very few pests or plant diseases.
Gardening Advice Tip: Practice good vegetable gardening by rotating your crops within your garden space with each new season. This will prevent many plant diseases.
How to Harvest Shallots: (back to top)
For harvesting the young vegetable crop, pick any time after 2 months. The young leaves can be used in salads or like scallions.
The bulbs have reached maturity when the top withers.
Storage: (back to top)
How to freeze Shallots
Separate shallot cloves from the bulb. Place in freezer bags, remove extra air, seal and label. Freeze shallots for up to 3 months.
Cold Stoarge
Separate the shallot bulbs, and let dry in good weather for a few days. Store in a cool cellar as you would onions in breathable or mesh bags (if possible). Examine periodically and remove any soft or rotten pieces to avoid spoiling the whole bunch.
Save some shallots from your winter store for planting in next year's gardening season.
Gardening Advice Tips (back to top)
Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a fun story) to share about your shallot growing experience? Share it with us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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