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 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
04 Jan 13, Schalk (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Just get them from Woolworths and plant. They are unbelievably prolific. But make sure it is SA grown and not imported Dutch Shallots (They have been radiated and wont grow). The SA Grown ones are normally on the shelves from late Autumn to Early Summer.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jun 13, SUE AURET (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Thank you for the info, I was lucky to find shallots at Woolies yesterday. do we wait for the bulb to shoot before planting?
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Nov 12, Sarie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy shallot seeds or bulbs. i live in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, what is on the eastern side of the South African coast.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Sep 12, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had shallots planted for about 5weeks, one pot has little black/grey bugs all over green stems. Can someone tell me what is happening please. Thanks Dawn
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Sep 12, Rachel (Australia - temperate climate)
They are probably aphids. I have a few on my garlic & onion crop. If there are not too many, just squash them with your fingers, otherwise use pyrethrum
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Sep 12, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Sep 12, Tessa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can we buy tree onions
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jul 12, Dirk Zwiegelaar (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy large quantities of traditional French shallots to plant? I want to plant quite a large test batch to see how they do in my climate. I am in the Boland area Western Cape.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Nov 15, Sean (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
you ever manage to find shallot bulbs to plant?
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Feb 12, Rae (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought my shallots bulbs last year in Aldi around June/July
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 121 - 130 of 183 comments
See comments for all plants

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.

- Greg

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.