Growing Autumn Planting Shallots

Autumn Shallot Grise

Autumn Shallot Grise

Shallots are small bulbs that multiply in the ground similar to garlic. When harvesting there will be a cluster of shallot bulbs instead of one bulb just swells like onions. Shallots are also milder than white onions.

Buy Bulbs: September – October
Plant Bulbs: September, October and November,
Harvesting: June – July,

Where do I Plant?
Large pots, plots, raised beds or allotments.

Varieties to Choose from:

Tracey at iGrowVeg is growing the following varieties:

  • 2009 – Autumn Planting Shallot – Eschalote Grise.

Other Suggested Varieties:

  • Golden Gourmet – A brown skinned larger bulb variety.
  • Jermor – Good flavour and a good stored shallot.
  • Yellow Moon – Yellow round shallot with good flavour.

How to Sow Autumn/Overwintering Shallots

You will need:

  • A Raised bed, large pot, plot or allotment bed,
  • Autumn planting onions sets/bulbs,
  • Gloves and a trowel,
  • Watering Can,
  • Plant Labels.

Instructions:

  1. Refer to your own seed packet or take these instructions as a guide only.
  2. Prepare the bed by breaking up any soil clumps, add compost if necessary and raking level,
  3. Make mounds with the soil in rows to plant the onion bulbs in. This helps rain/water run-off and prevents rot.
  4. Push the onion bulbs with the roots first into the mounded soil, if the soil isn’t loose enough use your trowel to make a hole.
  5. The bulb should be covered over with soil but leaving the very top of the bulb visible.
  6. Water and label the rows.
  7. Optional: Cover with an enviromesh or similar cloche to protect from frost.
  8. If you leave the onions uncovered, the birds may pull them out of the ground, just push them back into the soil.

Pests and Diseases of Autumn Planted Shallots

  • White Rot – A white fungus that attacks the base of the bulb and roots. Remove and do not plant onions in the same soil for 8 years.
  • Neck Rot – A grey fungus that attacks the neck of the leaves. Red and yellow onions are less likely to attract this disease. Avoid growing onions in same soil for 2 years.
  • Onion Fly – Occurs in dry conditions, larvae can burrow into onions. Growing from sets and with carrots reduces the chances of getting this disease.

Harvesting Tips

  • Lift the bulbs once the foliage dies back naturally and the foliage is brown and papery,
  • Dry them by leaving them on top of the soil, if rain is forecast put in a well ventilated and moisture free area like a shed or garage to dry,
  • Check the onions and shallots regularly to sort out the rotten bulbs otherwise this could affect the other bulbs,
  • Store in nets or string them up together and hang from a shed roof or store in a dry kitchen cupboard. Shallots can be stored until the end of the year.

Recommended Winter Vegetables to grow with Autumn Planting Shallots:-

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