How to Grow Large Red Shallots

Choose a spot in the garden that is free of weeds and has well-drained soil. Although shallots tolerate partial shade, to grow large ones, plant them in full sun.

Till the soil in late fall or early winter. Add 3 to 4 inches of compost and till it into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Do not smooth the soil after tilling.

Add bone or blood meal in the spring, using the instructions on the package as guidance for the rate, according to the size of the shallot bed.

Test the soil pH and follow the test kit instructions to lower or raise the soil pH. Shallots do best when the soil pH is between 6.2 and 6.8.

Rake the bed until it is smooth. Don't compact the soil, but lightly firm the surface.

Trim the tops off the shallots before planting, leaving a thick, 1-inch portion of stem.

Push each shallot into the soil until the bottom half is buried. Allow 7 inches in all directions between shallots.

Water the shallot bed to a depth of 4 inches and keep it moist until the bulbs sprout. Water weekly after that to a depth of 6 inches if the weather is particularly dry.

Inspect the shallots periodically throughout the season. To grow larger shallots you need to thin out the weaker ones. Medwyn Williams, who grows award-winning exhibition shallots, recommends waiting until you see the outer skin break open and then snap the smaller, weaker shallot from the roots carefully, allowing the others to remain undisturbed to continue growing.

Harvest the shallots when the plants stop producing new foliage. Depending upon variety, shallots mature within 90 to 120 days after planting.