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Start your shallots
Get them off to a quick start by growing them in trays says Greg Loades
Shallot bulbs will be on garden centre shelves any day now – and as soon as you buy them you can get your new crop underway.
Shallots are hardy enough to be planted outside and aren’t bothered by frost or snow provided the soil drains well. But to get them off to a quicker start now, grow them in trays in a cool greenhouse or on a light windowsill. This will also prevent them from being pulled up by birds outside and save them from the winter wet.
Avoid overly-heated places because they may encourage the shallots to bolt. A temperature of 10C (50F) will be warm enough.
Growing shallots in pots
If you haven’t got any cell trays to spare, then just grow shallots in small pots. You’ll need a bit more room to keep them, but the results should be the same. Just make sure the rim of the pot has enough space to fit the width of the bulb comfortably.
After care
By spring you should have well sprouted, easy-to-plant shallot modules ready to be planted out into warm soil. Avoid overly acidic soil because it can make the bulbs more prone to the disease white rot. Avoid waterlogged soil too.
Plant each module 20cm (8in) apart in rows spaced at 30cm (12in) intervals. Put a net over the rows to protect young shoots from birds. They should leave them alone once they are about 15cm (6in) tall.
Water in dry spells and when leaves turn yellow.
Save cash
Save yourself money for next year by keeping some of your summer crop of shallots to use as bulbs for planting next January. Select firm and healthy looking bulbs from your crop and keep them somewhere cool and dry until planting time. Keep in a paper bag in the shed.
To get your shallots growing quickly, start them off in trays. Click on image to enlarge
Step 1 Half-fill cell trays with multi-purpose compost making sure the trays have open drainage holes before filling. Wet conditions encourage the bulbs to rot. Click on image to enlarge
Step 2 Place a shallot bulb in each cell so that the tip is just above the top of the tray, then sprinkle more compost over the tray to fill it up. Give the sides of the tray a tap to level the compost.
Step 3 Water in the bulbs with a fine rose and keep somewhere light and cool. Water again each time the compost looks dry or when the tray feels light when you pick it up. Click on image to enlarge
