shallots

[aquilegia]

How much space and time would 500g of shallot sets take up? How close is the very closest I can plant them while getting a decent crop?

I tend to plant in blocks rather than rows as it suits my veg patch better.

(I've been tempted again - Kings didn't get my original order and I couldn't remember what I'd ordered, so I did that deadly thing of looking through the catalogue again!)

[aquilegia]

[philcooper]

I plant mine about 6" apart.

You don't get many shallots in 500gms (compared with onion sets anyway) - I'll count my bag tonight

Phil

[aquilegia]

thanks Phil

They're ordered now.

note to self - do not order any more edibles' seeds until the autumn.

[tim]

I was taught 9" - but wouldn't argue!!

They can make a BIG plant if they're happy. = Tim

[Mrs Ava]

If the rot doesn't get them first!  >:(

Am I begining to sound like a scratched record?!?!?  :-[

[aquilegia]

of course not Emma!  :D Just a very bitter record.

Tis the good thing about not having a lottie nor a garden that's been cultivated in years - not many diseases!

[mike6174]

I let my shallots root in my tunnel first - then put them outside- not had rot yet.
I use raised beds and can get away with about 6 inches between.

[growmore]

I would be with Tim on this one at least 9inch .I set mine a  foot apart . I wouldnt be able to weed them if they were any closer together. As 1 shallot can make quite a bunch ..I am using a strain brought over by a guy from Hungary in 1958 . These so far have been impervious to white rot here in Yorks.
I have had it on different years on golden gourmet etc but never on these ones. I can spare a dozen or so if anyone wants to test the theory out  and see if they do  get white rot on these ..  Jim..

[Mrs Ava]

Jim, I would be game to give them a go but only if you have a few spare.  Already some of my leeks are showing signs.  >:(

[vetstudentRosie]

Hi Jim

I have been after shallots, but have only ever seen big (ish, too many for me) amounts being sold,

Would like to give them a go if you have any spares

Kind regards

Rosie

[aquilegia]

More Shallot questions:

My sets arrived at the weekend. No instructions. They are GOlden Gourmet. Can I plant them out now? If not - when? Can I start them off indoors in pots? How deep should I plant?

[osprey480]

The old timers on our allotments used to say "plant shallots on the shortest day and gather them on the longest." I have never been this extreme. I normally plant mine the beginning of Feb and have never had trouble with them bolting. I am using my own seed which have been fine for the last 10 years.

[osprey480]

Aquilegia-plant them with just the "neck" protuding from the soil. They will send out roots very quickly and sometimes they push themselves out of the soil. You need to check in a few weeks and just gently push the "escapees" back in.

[aquilegia]

Thanks Osprey! I was thinking that's ages away, but it's only next week. Cor, January's flying!

[osprey480]

Yes today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year-so they say haha. ;D One thing about growing is that as soon as Christmas is over we can we have a lot to look forward to. Must get my greenhouse cleaned out. A great time.

[philcooper]

To reduce the likelihood of shallots pushing them out of the ground, don't push them in, this compacts the soil under them so that the roots can't get into it.

Instead dig/scrape a small hole deep enough to bury them up to their necks, insert set in hole and then put the soil back round them.

The birds may try to pull them out by the neck - black cotton or brush wood or half plastic drinkc bottles will hold them off until the roots hake hold

phil