Frosted shallots

[Ellesbells]

Hello to all!

Just a question for those with experience of shallot sets, as this is not something I've seen before!

The autumn planted shallots that I had started in pots (outside) appear to have suffered from the extreme cold weather and the recent heavy rain. The bulbs themselves are now a bit squishy and the green leaves looking a bit worse for wear. Have they had it? What are the chances that they will now rot before I can get them into the ground or will they pull through?

They had put on a ridiculous amount of growth due to the unseasonable warm weather we had in the autumn, then the cold snap hit and I'm concerned that they have all rotted. The garlic leaves are also looking a bit yellow too.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

[Nicos]

Hi there, and welcome to the Vine!

I’ve never overwintered shallots so I can’t help you, but someone will be able to give you advice…..

[ameno]

Sadly, I suspect they are probably dead. You may get the odd one which pulls through, but most have probably had it.
This happened to me before with garlic in pots outside (twice, in fact), and garlic is hardier than shallots are.
They're a lot more prone to freezing in pots than they would be in the ground, unfortunately.
Next year, it would probably be best to bring them under cover somewhere any time temperatures lower than about -2 are forecast.

[wargarden2023]

you could try mulching them. don't for
get to put marker near each plant to you can
see if they survive till spring. I over wintered
shallots several times they usually come but
though i lose a few in best of years mostly
to rodents.

[peanut]

Mine keep getting pulled up by the Blackbirds!

[shannonbrooke07]

peanut you could make a pie from the black birds which would
solve that problem. you will need 4 to 20 to do it correctly.

[Ellesbells]

Sadly, I suspect they are probably dead. You may get the odd one which pulls through, but most have probably had it.
This happened to me before with garlic in pots outside (twice, in fact), and garlic is hardier than shallots are.
They're a lot more prone to freezing in pots than they would be in the ground, unfortunately.
Next year, it would probably be best to bring them under cover somewhere any time temperatures lower than about -2 are forecast.

Thank you for this, sadly I think the same. My own fault! I was trying something different this year but I think it has backfired spectacularly!