Shallots

[JerryL]

I’ve spent half a day on-line trying to find a place to buy shallot bulbs. Anyone have a good source?

[DeanRIowa]

Here are some sources I came across:

http://www.southernexposure.com/Merc...ry_Code=PONION

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/cg...t&_category=32

http://www.gardencityseeds.net/index.php?cPath=33_138

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/p...y=478&item=522

Isn't the shallot planted late spring? Maybe this winter there will be more companies offering them. I think I even saw some at my local nurseries this spring.

Good luck,

Dean

[shelleybean]

I ordered mine from Southern Exposure. They're listed with the multiplier onions. They have several varieties. I'm going with Southern White.

[JerryL]

Thanks folks,

I went ahead and placed an order with both gardencity and southern.

We’ll see how they do.

Dean, I always plant my Shallots and Garlic in the fall here in my Z6a garden. Seems to do better and mature earlier than when I have spring planted.

[shelleybean]

I see there are only a couple of kinds left now at SESE. I ordered mine in June, I believe. There was more to choose from at that time.

[DeanRIowa]

How much room do Shallots take?

Any recommendations on what to plant?

I thought I might give them a shot.

thanks,

Dean

[shelleybean]

I space them about six inches apart within the row. Try some!

[JerryL]

Dean,

I plant mine about 6 - 8” apart in early to mid Nov. (Zone 6a)depending on the long range forecast. My goal is I to have them in for about six weeks prior to the first hard freeze. I lightly mulch them until they sprout then load it on to about 6”. I’ll remove all but about an inch worth in the spring.

The thing I learned early on is you need VERY loose soil. Same holds true for garlic, onions and I guess most all ‘below the soil’ crops. That may go without saying but I thought I’d say it anyway.

[shelleybean]

My shallots and garlic came in the mail yesterday. I will plant garlic today!

[Soilsniffer]

I planted shallots for the first time. In my garlic bed, about two weeks ago. Found some great looking purple bulbs at Fresh Market in Asheville NC. $2.99/lb. I planted five huge bulbs, four medium, and five small. I heard somewhere (GW?) that smaller shallots tend to produce monsters when planted; we'll see.

I picked up some more shallots at Ingle's (grocery store chain) a couple days ago. $3.99/lb. Brownish color this time. They'll go in the dirt this week.

[shelleybean]

I was just thinking about this. I need to plant mine today.

[JerryL]

I got a PM from someone today with the following question. I thought I’d copy it here in case anyone else has the same question.

I have zero experience with shallots. I planted some a couple weeks ago. When will they be ready? When the garlic is ready? Earlier? Are they like onions, in that they're done when the leaves start turning brown?

My Answer: Like garlic. I wait until the stalks are turning brown just like garlic. It will depend on both the garlic variety and the shallot variety but it’s been my experience they will mature at about the same time if both were planted in the fall.

[Soilsniffer]

Most of the shallots I purchased this year are 'doubles', meaning there are two cloves wrapped within the paper skins. Many are well-defined and I can easily break them apart and plant separately. However, many have just an indentation down the middle, merely suggesting that there really are two cloves under there. I plant those ones without attempting to separate.

Does it matter? To separate or not to separate, that is the question.