How to plant shallots

[Farmette]

So about a month ago I planted some shallot bulbs that I had picked up at a Lowes type place. I planted them and now have stalks one foot high. I also bought some that were already stalks and ready to plant I guess(they look sort of light stick onions) and assume I am to plant these. Should I pull the first set and separate and plant them. When are shallots harvested. I am in the midwest. I have no idea what to do with these and would appreciate any input.

[wmontanez]

I have planted shallots in early spring and harvest them in fall. Also I planted in fall at the same time as garlic and harvest during summer. They are easy to grow.

[beeman]

Originally Posted by Farmette

. Should I pull the first set and separate and plant them. When are shallots harvested.

Ideally, shallots are planted by single bulbs about 6 inches apart, planted 'late' in the year to winter over and grow next year to be harvested in late July early August.
Dried, out of the sun, the best and biggest go for next year, no more buying sets or seed.
My grandmother used to say, plant on the shortest day, harvest on the longest.

[Farmette]

Well, I planted mine, but maybe I didn't water them enought. The tops dried up and there is no bulb underneath the soil.

[wmontanez]

sorry to hear that, try again now for next year harvest. I bought some organic shallots at my local whole foods, and planted a week ago with my garlic (i was too late to order seed online at this point). I also found some plants this summer that i missed from last year, the bulbs were tiny, but i planted them again who knows maybe it will produce some bulbs next summer.

[Farmette]

I may try your idea of planting some now...will have to look around for some.

[Tormato]

Farmette,

Do you remember when the tops dried, and also when you dug them up?

[lowlylowlycook]

Is there a good online source for shallots?

[th3nd3rson]

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange offers French Red Shallot bulbs.

[RinTinTin]

Territorial Seeds carries 8 varieties, which is more than most other companies.
(Five varieties of cloves and 3 of seeds.)

Johnny's has 4 or 5 (seed only)

[beeman]

If you would prefer a larger shallot, ideal for general cooking, then try 'Ambition'.
My DW complained about the fiddle when using purple shallots for cooking, said it took forever to get any substance because of the small size. So, I grew 'Ambition' from seed and they produce regular onion sized bulbs.
Those little ones are ideal for pickled onions, done in Malt vinegar and a little pickling spice, much better than pearl onions as they stay crisp. Yummmmmm.

[lowlylowlycook]

I ended up buying the shallots from Territorial but forgot to come in here and thank you for the leads.

My shallots seem to be doing pretty well. Some have little bulbs forming at the top of the leaves, should I be cutting those off?

[wmontanez]

bulbs on the top of the leaves like a flower bud? I never seen mine flower, I am watching 2 plants that overwinter to see if I get seeds to start them like onions in February indoors.

[th3nd3rson]

Lowly,

Of the two dozen or so that I planted last fall, three currently show growth at the top that look like they may want to be flowers some day. Since this is my first time planting these, I can't really answer your question as to whether to cut them off or not. However, I do have these potential flowers appearing on my plants.

Then again, I could be looking at onions, which I planted along with the shallots. I've got to start writing things down!

[davespitzer]

If you planted shallot seed from Territorial they are all F1 hybrids and wont produce "true to type" seed, so you might as well break off the spathe (flower) and let the plant put as much energy as possible into the bulbs. I planted both ambition and bonilla last fall and they are getting close to harvest size now. Ambition is a great variety, large and tasty. I want to try the camelot this fall as well, looks like a good one. I think it is possible to propagate from bulbs, so once your plants are mature you can harvest them and hold some for fall planting. Good luck!