Topic: Red Onions v Shallots

[JJane01]

After a bit of advice, please.

I sowed red onion and shallot sets three weeks ago.  I put the onions in so their tips were just showing, similar with the shallots.  The red onions have taken and are sending up lovely green shoots (yes, I'm excited  :)) but the shallots are just sitting there, not doing anything particular.  I'm not sure if it's because they're slightly under a holly tree, although they get the same light/shade as the red onions, or if I need to bury them some or, or is it because shallots take longer to respond to being sown?

We don't have an allotment, this is garden stuff, although I am hoping at some point in the next year (maybe!) we will be lucky with some news.  In the meantime I have sown a raft of peas, beans, runners, beetroot, tomatoes, cucumber, pumpkin.... we have some proper garden redesign to do to accommodate my plans  ;D

Thanks!

[STEVEB]

Patience jane

[chriscross1966]

Patience jane

Shallots do take ages to get going sometimes, that's why people plant  them out in January in some places.... I always go for seeds as then they're just another allium really.... get em started under glass, heat if it's still very cold harden off the plants and get em out in March/April....

chrisc

[1066]

I'm growing red onsions and shallots for the 1st time, and have been wondering when they'll show - patience is hard to practice sometimes!!

[JimmyJames]

I grew shallots last year, but didnt bother this year.  I found they were too fiddly to peel and chop!! 

[saddad]

Better cooked whole in pot roasts and the like...  :)

[amphibian]

I always go for seeds as then they're just another allium really.

But it's one seed one shallot, never seen the attraction of that, unless growing for exhibition.

[gardentg44]

i always grow both .

have you ever tried pickling red onions?

you don't get many in a jar ;)

[JJane01]

Thanks for that.... maybe I should stop admiring the red onions and inspecting the shallots with a furrowed brow.... hopefully they will do something (soonish)!

[chriscross1966]

I always go for seeds as then they're just another allium really.

But it's one seed one shallot, never seen the attraction of that, unless growing for exhibition.

Start off by sowing 5-6 seeds per module in a 40 or 60-module tray, once they're up, harden them off and plant them out about 8" between  each clump.... I do the same with onions for pickling (and small maincrops too).... you can get a fair amount out of not much space with this technique....

chrisc

[grannyjanny]

Better cooked whole in pot roasts and the like...  :)

Is there no end to your talents.
I planted mine 2 weeks ago & one is sprouting green shoots.
Janet