Hi, Its now 22 Feb 2020 and I live in Wollongong (temperate region).
I'm going to start growing eschalots. I purchased a pack with about 6 bulbs from the local fruit and veg store. Not sure what variety, but they have a brown 'skin' and are a purple/mauve colour when the skin is peeled off.
After reading some of the posts ( and the growing guide for temperate regions in Australia) , I see that I can start to plant the bulbs in March through to May. So far so good.
I grow all my plants in containers (polystyrene boxes from fruit and veg stores) and raised corrugated iron garden beds (Aldi)
For my Ginger, Turmeric and edible Pandanus I use a '50% coir and 50% premium potting mix' for my soil. Coir is a compressed coconut fibre. I got this 'soil recipe from Daleys plants (www.daleysfruit.com.au) BUT they are North NSW Coast and specialise in tropical plants, not eschalots.
Will probably test try this soil medium for some of the eschalots but
QUESTION : I am wondering what the best soil to use in containers (40cm x 80cm) and raised garden beds (approx size - 210cm x 90cm) ?
Thanks in advance. Feel free to comment on any aspect of my post, but I'm mainly after the soil to use.
Hi Greg - I am researching for a new vege garden the planting out of shallot seedlings (located in Kiama not far from you) as I've not grown them before and my husband bought a punnet - as a result I read your comment on Gardenate with interest (a very interesting post I might add) given your location. My research has totally confused me re the bulbs - I'm thinking of the shallots we buy in the supermarket. My understanding from the research is the bulbs are formed from mature plants and can be eaten and/or saved for future planting. Do you know how I can grow them to harvest similar to those we buy? Also I have never grown tumeric or ginger before - any tips? :)
I haven't tried growing eschalots or onions or garlic before so your tips in your comment are very helpful. I love ginger and hope to grow it when the plants are available again as well as potatoes. Wanting to grow a lot more of the basic staples other than tomatoes lettuce carrot and peas.
You could do different mixes of soil, compost, potting mix, coir. The thing is to have good draining soil but still retain some moisture so that you are not having to water all the time.
I grow shallots from Feb to Nov in sub tropical, no reason why you can't I feel. In autumn/winter they stay more like a spring onion (straight) longer but when the weather hots up they go to bulb a lot sooner.
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