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When Should You Plant Shallots?

Shallots (Allium cepa) have a mild onion flavor. They grow best in cool weather, like other plants in the onion family. In most regions shallots are planted early in spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. But where winters are mild, shallots can be planted in fall and harvested as immature or "green" shallots in winter and as mature onion-like vegetables in late spring.

  1. Shallots

    • In some areas people call any green bunch-type onions "shallots" -- confusion explained by the fact that shallots are mostly grown like green onions. They do mature into small round, onion-like vegetables covered in thin, tan, papery husks. Inside that husk, however, are multiple separate shallot sections -- like garlic. Shallots rarely form seeds, so these individual bulb sections are planted to start new shallot plants. The unique appeal of shallots is their delicate taste, something like the flavor of mild sweet onion blended with a hint of garlic.

    Planting

    • Plant shallot sets in rich, well-drained soil. Separate each mature shallot bulb into sections, as you would break a head of garlic into cloves. Each of these sections or sets, when planted, will grow into a new plant. Prepare the planting area early in spring, when the ground is dry enough to be worked. Incorporate compost, shredded leaves, well-rotted manure or other organic matter to improve soil quality and drainage. Hoe back-to-back planting trenches, each set of double rows about 18 inches from the next. Plant each shallot set -- tip pointed up -- 1 or 2 inches deep in a trench and 4 to 6 inches apart and cover all sets with fine soil and firm it down. Set tips should be either just visible or just below the soil's surface.

    Growing

    • Work in about 3 lbs. of all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 100 square feet of growing area while you're preparing the planting bed. If you prefer using slow-acting organic fertilizers, prepare the planting soil at least one season ahead, so nutrients can become available in the soil. Fertilize twice during the growing season, too, using either water-soluble organic fertilizers or scratching in alongside plants about 2 lbs. of 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 100 square feet. Keep soil moist but not wet, and mulch with shredded leaves or pesticide-free lawn clippings to deter weeds, conserve soil moisture and maintain cool soil temperatures. Some shallots will develop on top of the soil, which is normal; don't cover these.

    Harvesting

    • About six weeks after planting, when their tops are 6 to 8 inches tall, harvest green shallots for fresh use. Side shoots may have tiny "button" shallots at their base, which can be used in casseroles and other dishes. For shallots being grown to maturity, harvest bulbs when tops have yellowed and the root bulbs are 1 to 1 1/2 inches across. Cut off the tops and cure the bulbs in a cool, dry place for at least a week.

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