Growing Shallots, also Eschalots

Allium cepa, aggregatum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  P P P P P P P P P    

(Best months for growing Shallots in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Plant small bulblets, with stem just showing above ground. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-15 weeks. Keep a few for your next planting.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lemon Balm, Borage, Carrots, Beets, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Peas, Beans

Your comments and tips

17 Mar 17, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
That is a good way to get seed for next seasons crop or to have some to swap or giveaway. Seed can be saved from most vegetables but select a good plant to save seed rather than a poor one as this will increase the chance of good plants from the seed. This is also a good idea to save money, we should encourage it more.
30 Sep 10, Heather Pearson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I grow my shallots from seed from August through to October, also red and pukekohe onions. That way I get lots of plants and they do very well. I stagger seed sowing so they do not all mature at once. I fertilise with lots of sheep pellets and blood and bone.
01 Mar 10, Christine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Grew shallots for the first time this year. Magnificent. I bought a bag cheap from the supermarket because they were sprouting, didn't really know what I was doing but treated as garlic and had 4-6 large bulbs per plant. They were pretty small bulbs originally so will be saving the large bulbs from this years crop and should have up to 12. Give each bulb plenty of room to spread and lots of feed.
19 Oct 09, jenny V. (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Have flourishing shallots I bought at a supermarket. Do I wait until their foliage dies before I pull them out or can I use them now, as I want to do? Love shallots.
03 Jan 23, Wayne Jacobsen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes. Wait till leaves start to die off - March or April. I 'tickle' a few a bit earlier if needed. In December/January, give the clumps a dose of general fertiliser or blood and bone - this boosts the developing bulbs.
29 Jul 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
RayS, allium cepa but the growing conditions are similar for both a.cepa and a.fistulosum.
28 Jul 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
DavidH, shallots take about 2 weeks to germinate, so you probably won't see anything for another week or so.
Showing 11 - 17 of 17 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Shallots

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.