Zebrune shallot

[Spunky]

Happy Christmas everyone and have a good New Years
Just looking through the what are you going to plant soon thread and it looks like there's a few people starting zebrune shallots soon if they already haven't done so
What I was wondering was how you were planning on growing them on would they be outdoors or In a greenhouse etc thanks

[WendyC]

I tend to start my shallot sets in module trays in an unheated greenhouse. They go out on the plot when the soil is workable, after a short spell in the cold frame.

[spamvindaloo]

As far as I know, zebrune can only be grown from seed. I'm not planning on starting mine until about February and when potted up, will probably be going in a growhouse (tall cold frame) that I need to get round to setting up next to my shed in the next month or so. They will hopefully be okay in there until planted out

[Bill Door]

I will be starting them this weekend after I have recovered from New year. They will be in the garage for a few weeks and then placed in the garden shed until the ground is ready (a bit like WendyC),

I have done two or three to a module in previous years but will try one seed per module. I will also put wire netting over the top to keep the seedlings separated as they grow. I will lift the netting up a fraction each week to stop the greenery twining together.

They produce a lovely onion to chop up and cook. I didn't germinate enough last year so I have bought two packets this year.

Good luck
Bill

[bramble]

Bill, you should read AberdeenPlotters thread on growing onions from seed. Its full of good advice.

[RaptorUK]

What I was wondering was how you were planning on growing them on would they be outdoors or In a greenhouse etc thanks

I grew them in my first allotment year in 2014, I started them in the greenhouse in cells one seed to a cell at the end Feb, they were showing by 7th March, I planted them out onto the Allotment in early and mid May.

My photographic record . . . Zebrune Shallots

I didn't do much this year due to work commitments but will be sowing them in 2016 for sure

[Dalrimple]

I grew them in my first allotment year in 2014, I started them in the greenhouse in cells one seed to a cell at the end Feb, they were showing by 7th March, I planted them out onto the Allotment in early and mid May.

My photographic record . . . Zebrune Shallots

I didn't do much this year due to work commitments but will be sowing them in 2016 for sure

I like the set up you have with IBC tank on your photos

[muddled]

I sow mine, with gentle heat, in a tray on the 1st of Jan...New year new life sort of thing.
As soon as they reach the crookneck stage I prick them out into individual tiny cells...the sort that have 40 to a tray. I give them a week or two to settle before putting the trays out in the unheated greenhouse (provided it's not super cold).

When the weather starts to get changeable (early spring) I transplant into bigger cells with a bit of feed (whatever I have handy) until their bed is ready and I plant them out.

I know its a bit labour intensive but there's little else to do so early in the year and these are hands down the most useful and beloved crop I grow.
Have you seen what they charge for them in the shops?

[vixylix]

I have sown mine in modules... havent thought as far ahead as what do with them next so this is useful! I am very excited though - they are one of the things I buy most often in the supermarket!