Kitchen Garden Forum

I've saved some Longor shallots from this year's excellent harvest and would like some advice on when is best to sow:

This Autumn?
As per garlic etc

Next Spring?
This is what I've always done before.

Use small bulbs or the biggest?
I've seen recommendations for both the smallest and the biggest, supposedly affecting both bolting and the number/size of the resulting bulbs

I see some varieties (eg. Jeremor) are listed as suitable for Autumn planting, but others say spring. Does it vary by variety (so I'd be best to wait?) or is there nothing to lose by starting them early?

Finally, some suppliers mention their shallot sets are heat treated to prevent premature flowering. When using a previous year's crop as seed, are there any special precautions needed to cover this?

It would be nice to have a crystal ball, wondering if another dry spring is on the cards, a lot of folk said it affected their onion crops. I also have shallots I could plant that were originally spring sown. Hope someone can help us both.

When I was allotment gardening there were those who said "plant on the shortest day harvest on the longest" It seemed to work. I always started shallots in seed trays in early January and planted out well rooted in early March. That never failed.

Take your choice.

Thank you Alan, I will try that. I understand they don't like getting waterlogged, but as mine go into raised beds thats not such a problem, I intend putting some onions and garlic in autumn and some by your method too, sort of hedging my bets in case its a very dry spring.

alan refail wrote: "plant on the shortest day harvest on the longest". I always started shallots in seed trays in early January

Thanks Alan, but my question was on sets.

I do plan to try some shallot seed as well, so will follow your advice. In the meantime however, do you have any more comments on my options for sets?

Colin M wrote:Thanks Alan, but my question was on sets.

As was my answer.

Didn't realise the mention of "seed tray" would mislead you. I meant I put shallot bulbs in damp compost spaced out in a seed tray (modules would do as well) until they develop green tops and good roots, then plant out.

alan refail wrote:put shallot bulbs in damp compost spaced out in a seed tray (modules would do as well) until they develop green tops and good roots, then plant out.

Hi Alan, thanks for the clarification.

Any particular reason for starting in trays, rather than straight into the ground? Is this based on starting them in a greenhouse?

Hi Colin

When they're nicely rooted and planted the birds can't disturb them - and you can get them going early if the January weather is bad and plant out when it's nicer.

alan refail wrote:you can get them going early if the January weather is bad and plant out when it's nicer.

So that sounds like you're not a fan of starting them before Winter then. Or would that depend on the variety?

Colin_M wrote:

alan refail wrote:you can get them going early if the January weather is bad and plant out when it's nicer.

So that sounds like you're not a fan of starting them before Winter then. Or would that depend on the variety?

Never tried it.