shallots

[nick the grief]

thats the way a forum works, the threads develop with each new question following on from the last. and as far as i can see all the posts concerned Shallot growing so it was hardly idle chit-chat

[shirlthegirl43]

Oh By The Way Thanks . Not!

My sincere apologies, but what was the point of me starting another thread when there was one about shallots? I felt that your query had been answered and that was why I tacked my query on. I will remember not to post on your posts again if it upsets you so much.

[Weavie]

Very pleased for the chit-chat. Will be going to Tesco's tomorrow to see if they sell their flower buckets. We are always learning new facts by reading replies so feel happy Woodfettler that grapes have been interested enough to read your posts and add to it in an informative way.

[Kathie]

Back to Shallots

I did not have much success with my shallots last year-they went all soft and did not grow! (Yes I am new to growing vegetables)
So I too would like a bit of advice on when to set them, and what type of conditions they like.
The previous year (my first attempt at the veg. patch) they just did not grow to any size!----Help please or else I will not bother with this vegetable again!
I had great sucess with Peas/Broad Beans/Runner Beans/Leeks and salad crops but not Shallots!---Kath

[JazzDuke]

I'm a relative newbie considering shallots for the first time so would like to know how they rate on the difficulty scale. I do like shallots and like the idea that they multiply.

BTW - cheap pots - Kays is the cheapest I've found.

[Snadger]

I'm a relative newbie considering shallots for the first time so would like to know how they rate on the difficulty scale. I do like shallots and like the idea that they multiply.

BTW - cheap pots - Kays is the cheapest I've found.

I think shallots have got to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow, seconded only by onion sets.

If you've prepared the soil in the Autumn just rake it down, add a bit bonemeal to help with root formation, rake again and plant!

Don't expect whoppers unless you grow the show varieties, but from each bulb you should get 5 or 6 small shallots. Lovely boiled whole with meat and two veg!

[supersprout]

As a wee gal I was always fascinated by shallot sowing - one of the first signs of spring. We used to get them sprouted under large wire mesh 'boxes' to keep the birds off. Always had excellent yield, even in Northumberland brrr!

[Kathie]

Yes I will try Shallots again this year-Fingers crossed I might have a bit more success with them--What about you JazzDuke? We might be able to compare our efforts in a few months time.
Thanks Supersprout and Snagger--will try your advice--Kath

[shallotman]

As the weather is very mild, I would say go ahead.

[Poledragon]

I put my shallots in up the lottie on 10 March last year, Golden Gourmet and Red Sun. First time I've ever grown them, and they did fabulously! I was really really impressed. Some of them had 8 or 9 bulbs on each.

Also had four or five bulbs of a 'red multiplier' from Heritage Seed library, so they went in the home garden, and got between 4 and 6 from each of those. Pickled shallots everywhere and loads to give away too Very good in beef stew.

[nick the grief]

It depends on variety as to when you plant them. If you look in the seed catalogues they will tell you the ones that need to go in later.

Golden Gourmet was the first one I grew as well Poledragon, and they performed well for me. Now though I only grow Hative de Niort as they are a nice shap & good flavour ( and you can show them if you grow them well)

[pigletwillie]

Our allotment "showman" gave me some of them this autumn Nick, The Hative are indeed a very nice shape.

I grow lots of shallots for cooking with and as well as the hative, the banana and golden gourmet I grow prisma from seed each year as they give a red shallot, again of great flavour.

[shallotman]

Re Shallots. Years ago when I was a youngster in the docks, the old dockers planted shallots on the shortest day, and lifted on the longest. For years I have planted mine on the shortest day, but in pots, these have then been placed in the lea of the house. [south facing wall] This year as it has been so mild I have planted straight into the allotment and taken a gamble. Shallotman.