The old adage is to plant on the shortest day and harvest on the longest as they take 90-120 days to mature. In warmer areas they can be planted and harvested a bit earlier.
- Botanical Name
- Red/Gold: Allium oschaninii. Banana/Potato Onion: A. cepa
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Plant Type
- Bulb
- Size (HxW)
- 40-60cm x 20-40cm
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant them pointy end up so the bulb is just below the soil, space 20cm apart. Ideally ensure the area is kept free of weeds (they can attract pests and deprive the plants of nutrients).
- Soil
- Well drained, humus/nutrient rich. If you have a clay soil you can lighten it with organic matter (manure isn’t recommended as it is high in nitrogen – too much foliage focus and it can produce softer bulbs reducing the storage after harvest). If you have sandy soil, it is a good idea to add some organic matter to increase nutrients and to help water retention. For those of you who take a scientific approach, a PH of 6.5-7.0 will get the very best production.
- Aspect
- Full sun to semi shade
- Climate
- Cool to Mediterranean
- Frost
- Hardy
- Water
- Because of their shallow root system shallots require weekly watering to maintain soil moisture for optimal yields. To help reduce water requirements and maintain moisture levels you can mulch.
- Fertiliser
- Use a fertiliser high in phosphate and potassium. Because they are heavy feeders it should be applied regularly – see directions on fertiliser packaging, 5-10-10 (NPK) is best.
- Harvest Time
- Early summer, before flowering, when the tops begin to fall over. If left in too long they, may begin a second growth and bulb size will decrease markedly. When dug, allow to dry (2-3wks on a cake cooling rack or similar) and then clean and separate bulbs. Store in a cool, dry place or hang up in open weave bags. Don’t leave the bulbs to naturalise in the ground as this will result in poor harvests and encourages pests.
- After Flower Care
- Remove any flowers that form as they limit bulb growth, see above.
- Notes
- We recommend crop rotation. In case of thrip, spray (organic option is a soapy water spray) – thrip usually come in on the hot north winds. Also watch out for root rot, caused by poor drainage. Slow growth and pale green foliage is an indication of phosphate deficiency. Poor bulb form, light green foliage tipped with brown is a sign of potassium deficiency. Bulbs can be stored for up to 12 months. Ideally each bulb should reproduce 6-12 bulbs in a season. You can companion plant you shallots with lettuce, cabbage, beets, carrots, mint, thyme, sage, strawberries and tomatoes. They shouldn’t be teamed with beans or peas.
