Shallots - Golden Gourmet

[chris]

Bit confused when to sow these sets.. Bought them from Wilkos, bags says to plant out Sept->Dec.

Dobbies, etc sites (as well as three books I have with shallots in) say to plant in Feb.

There's no mention of if they're sown like onion sets too (top just poking out soil).. but when would be recommended for me to plant some?

Planning on doing my Garlic & Onion sets shortly!

[kentvegplot]

I put my shallots into modules in Jan, then plant out once they've got good roots in Feb. I wouldn't risk mine over the winter, but I don't grow that particular variety....

[rustylady]

Why don't you do half now, and half in February? That way you can see which works best for you. And yes, you plant them exactly like onion sets.

[chris]

Good idea Thanks both.

[Snadger]

Why don't you do half now, and half in February? That way you can see which works best for you. And yes, you plant them exactly like onion sets.

In the imortal words of Punch (or was it Judy?) "Thats the way to do it"

[Pies]

planted mine out last week,i got bored

[coreopsis]

I didn't know shallots could be planted in the autumn.I'm waiting for a parcel from Suttons with shallot Griselle to plant now

[chris]

Yeah I found it a bit odd that there is conflicting advice for the same variety. *shrug*, gonna do 50/50 as RL suggests Probably tomorrow. Depends if the sweetcorn has ripened up!

Should I mix any BFB in? I've also a load of chicken poo pellets, any good for onions/shallots?

[coreopsis]

Surely you can add something to the soil...but I don't know what as I gave mine just ordinary manure.
I heard that onions and citrus fruit if added to the compost bin they'll make it slightly acid(so chicken poo should be fine?).Please correct me if I'm wrong.