Shallot
Allium cepa (Aggregatum group)
Sweeter and more nuanced in flavour than the common onion, shallots grow in handsome clusters and store beautifully. They come in a wider variety of shapes and colours than most gardeners realise — from banana shallots to small round red types.
SowingStart indoors
Sunlight☀️ Full sun
Water💧 Low
Days to harvest90–120
Soil pH6.5–7
Spacing18cm × 25cm
Planting Calendar
🌏 Adjusted for southern hemisphere seasons.
Sow indoorsSow outdoorsTransplantHarvest
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Planting Sets
For the best results, plant sets (small bulbs) in late winter to early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant with the pointed tip just showing above the surface, in rows 25cm apart with 18cm between bulbs.Frost Lifting
In very cold or frosty spells, sets can be pushed out of the ground by frost action. Check rows after hard weather and firm any displaced sets back in gently.Seeds vs Sets
Seeds can be sown in early winter in mild areas, but sets are far more reliable and are the method recommended for most gardens.Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position. Avoid freshly manured ground.