Leslie Massey
Shallots are easy to grow in Australia and are drought-tolerant, space-saving, and versatile in the kitchen. They can be grown from seeds, seedlings, or bulbs, in a full sun spot with well-drained soil. Shallots thrive in soil enriched with compost and fertiliser, and they should be planted 5-7 cm deep with 15-20 cm of space between each bulb. They are ready to harvest in 12-15 weeks, or when the neck between the bulb and leaves becomes soft and the leaves begin to yellow and fall over.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil type | Well-drained, loose, and rich |
| Soil temperature | 8°C-30°C |
| Sunlight | Full sun (at least 6 hours per day) |
| Soil preparation | Remove weeds, dig to spade's depth, add aged animal manure or compost |
| Planting method | Direct sowing, pots, or transplants |
| Planting depth | 5-7 cm deep, 15-25 cm space |
| Planting time | Late winter or spring in temperate regions, March-April in subtropical regions |
| Harvest time | 12-15 weeks after planting, late summer or autumn |
| Watering | Keep soil moist before shoots emerge, water when the soil is dry 5 cm below the surface |
| Fertiliser | Low nitrogen, high phosphorus in poor soil |
| Pests | Slugs, snails, and aphids |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right soil and location
Shallots are easy to grow and are drought-tolerant, space-saving, and low-maintenance. They can be grown from seeds, seedlings, or bulbs. When choosing the right soil and location for growing shallots, here are some important factors to consider:
Sunlight:
Shallots thrive in full sun, so choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. They can also grow in partial shade, but ensure it's not too shaded, or the bulbs may not develop properly.
Soil Type:
Shallots grow best in loose, well-drained soil that is rich and friable. Ensure the soil is enriched with organic matter, such as aged animal manure or compost. If your soil is heavy, you can lighten it by mixing in organic matter to allow the shallot roots to grow freely.
Soil Preparation:
Before planting shallots, prepare the soil by weeding it thoroughly and digging it to at least a spade's depth to loosen it. You can also add fertiliser or compost to the soil to improve its quality and promote healthy plant growth. If you're planting in a pot, use a quality potting mix.
Soil Moisture:
Keep the soil moist while the shallot seeds germinate, which usually takes 10-14 days. Water the plants when the soil is dry about 5 cm below the surface. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
Soil Temperature:
The ideal soil temperature for planting shallot bulbs is between 8°C and 30°C. In temperate regions, shallots are typically planted in late winter or early spring, while in subtropical areas, March to April is the ideal planting time.
Planting Depth:
When planting shallot bulbs, do not plant them too deep. Their tops should sit just above the soil surface, with the pointed tip facing upwards.
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Preparing the soil
Shallots grow best in good, rich, friable soil. Choose a sunny or part-shade spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Prepare the soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to at least a spade's depth to loosen it, and adding aged animal manure or compost. Organic matter can be dug into heavy soil to lighten it so the roots can grow freely.
Keep the area free of weeds until planting. If you are planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 300mm wide and deep and position it in a sunny or part-shade spot. Fill it with a quality potting mix.
Before planting, dig these through the top 10-20cm of soil. Shallots love to grow in soil enriched with compost or soil improver and a small amount of controlled-release fertiliser. If you are planting in poor soil, use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus, such as blood and bone, applied at the recommended rate.
Shallot bulbs are best planted directly in the garden. Dig a furrow with the handle end of your rake (or another tool) 40-50mm deep. Push three 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.
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Planting the bulbs
Shallots are easy to grow and can be grown from seeds, seedlings, or bulbs. They are best grown in full sun, so choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sun each day. If you're planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 300 mm wide and deep and position it in a sunny or partially shaded area.
When planting the bulbs, start by preparing the soil. Shallots need loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting, weed the soil thoroughly, digging to at least a spade's depth to loosen it, and add aged animal manure or compost. If your soil is heavy, you can lighten it with organic matter to allow the roots to grow freely.
Once your soil is prepared, it's time to plant the bulbs. Plant the mother bulbs directly, with their pointed tips facing upwards and just visible above the surface of the soil. Space the bulbs 15-20 cm apart, and plant them 5-7 cm deep. If you are planting multiple bulbs, push 3 bulbs into the furrow every 100-150 mm, then push some soil back over them.
After planting, water the bulbs well. Do not water them again until seedlings emerge. You can also add fertiliser to the soil before planting and scratch it into the soil. However, if your soil is well-prepared, no extra fertiliser should be necessary as fertilising can result in excessive leaf growth at the expense of root formation.
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Watering and fertilising
Shallots are drought-tolerant and easy to grow. They require well-drained soil and at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
When planting, the bulbs should be covered with soil and watered well. If you are planting in poor soil, use a fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus, such as blood and bone, applied at the recommended rate. However, if the soil has been well-prepared, no extra fertiliser should be necessary. Fertilising can cause excessive leaf growth at the expense of roots forming.
Keep the soil moist but not wet until shoots emerge. Shallots may need watering during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry about 5 cm below the surface. You can test this by scratching away a little soil with your finger. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of the plants to prevent fungal diseases.
Mulch between plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds, but keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the necks of the shallot stalks to prevent rot.
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Harvesting and storing
Harvesting shallots at the right time is key to getting the most from your crop. You'll know they are ready when about half of the leaves on the plant have turned yellow and fallen over. This is usually around four to six months after planting. If you are unsure, you can gently dig around the shallot to check the size of the bulb. Once the bulbs start to swell, they are close to maturity. Lift the bulbs on a dry day, ideally when the foliage is dry. Use a garden fork to carefully lift the bulbs, taking care not to damage them. Brush off any excess soil and leave the bulbs to dry in the sun for a few hours.
After drying in the sun, move the shallots to a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight. Good air circulation is important, so ensure the space is well-ventilated. You can plait the leaves together and hang the shallots in bunches, or cut the leaves about 2.5cm above the bulb and store them in a single layer on a tray or in a basket. If storing in a basket or tray, ensure the bulbs don't touch each other. Shallots stored this way will last for several months.
Another option is to braid the leaves together and hang the shallots in a cool, dry place. This method is a space-saver and also creates an attractive, rustic display. If you are braiding, cut the leaves to about 5cm in length before starting to plait. Use three sections of leaves and braid them together, adding more leaves as you go and working your way up the plant. Secure the end of the braid with string.
You can also store shallots in sand. Find a container with good drainage and fill it with dry sand. Place the shallot bulbs on top of the sand, ensuring they don't touch, and then cover them with another layer of sand. You can then store the container in a cool, dry place. Stored this way, the shallots will last for several months. Check your stored shallots regularly to ensure none are spoiling, and remove any that are soft or showing signs of decay.
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Frequently asked questions
In cool, warm, and temperate regions, shallots are typically planted in late winter or spring and harvested in late summer or early autumn. In subtropical areas, March to April is the ideal planting time.
Shallots can be grown from seeds, seedlings, or bulbs. If planting bulbs, ensure they are not planted too deep—their tops should sit just above the soil surface. Space the bulbs 15-20 cm apart, and water well.
Shallots need at least 6 hours of full sun each day and well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate, which will take 10-14 days. Once seedlings emerge, feed weekly with liquid plant food. Protect young plants from slugs and snails using pellets or beer traps.
