Allotments 4 All

I have been given some shallots - something I've never grown before and no little about.

Not knowing the variety - they look like large white onion sets when should I plant them and what do I do with them.

I was planning on planting the first day of March and if they grew leaving them in until they died down like onions.

Any advice appreciated.

You can plant shallots earlier.  I planted some today, but ive also got some more that are later and will leave for another 2-3 weeks.  It depends on the variety.  Id plant now if not too wet or in a frost pocket.

  Each bulb should multiply into 9-12 bulbs that are lifted in latish summer, and allow good drying time.

thanks ricado - what about the spacing?

I space about a foot apart, with a good gap inbetween rows to allow plenty of room to walk through and hoe when plants are full size.  I am blessed with room as i have 16 beds 10 x5 metres (but usually more space than time or crops  :( !

Hi glow777.
I put some Golden Gourmet into cellpacks in an unheated greenhouse last weekend to give them a start. From memory, it's about a month before they're planted in the bed, taking all the usual variables into account. I guess you will be rattled if they're a howling success and you don't know what they were :)

Geoff.

Quote from: euronerd on February 17, 2006, 22:46:07
I guess you will be rattled if they're a howling success and you don't know what they were :)

Geoff.

if this was the case could I not keep a bulb back from each plant for next year like with garlic cloves?

Hi all,  :D
             Yes you can keep some shallots to plant next year,  It is a good way to keep the cost of gardening down ;) Shallots keep well if you dry them properly, this can take 3 weeks . keep them in string nets, or the leg part of a pair of tights.in a cool pla ce (ie garage) .About this time of year select the smaller ones & plant them out.
                                                                                      Adrian.