Shallots
Smaller and milder than onions, shallots are favoured by chefs for their delicate flavour. They produce clusters of bulbs from a single planted set, offering a good yield for the space.
Shallots (Sets, 20)
£3.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
February – March (under cover); March – April (outdoors from sets)
Plant out
March – April (sets outdoors); October – November (overwintering sets)
Harvest
July – August
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water
Keep moist during early growth; reduce watering as bulbs mature to prevent rot
Soil
Fertile, well-draining, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
15cm (6 inches) between sets, 30cm (12 inches) between rows
Containers
Can be grown in large, wide containers or grow bags, ensuring good drainage
Indoors
Start seeds indoors for earlier crops, but sets are the more common and easier method
Care and harvest
Feeding
Not heavy feeders; a general-purpose fertiliser can be worked into the soil before planting
Pruning
Not required; remove any flower stalks if they emerge to encourage bulb development
Harvesting
Harvest when foliage has yellowed and died back. Cure in a warm, airy place for 2-3 weeks.
Storage
Store in nets or plaited strings in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place for up to 6-9 months
Good companions: Carrots, Beetroot, Chamomile