Shallot
French Shallot, Banana Shallot, Grey Shallot, Echalion, Ever-Ready Onion, Multiplier Onion, Potato Onion, Shallot
Plant sets (small bulbs) in early spring or fall. Each set multiplies into a cluster of 4–8 bulbs. Milder and sweeter than onions with a more complex flavor. Stop watering when foliage begins to yellow. Cure like onions — 2–4 weeks in a warm, dry location. Stores exceptionally well for up to 6 months. Excellent for gourmet cooking.
- Harvest after planting
- 90–120 days
- Spacing
- 15–20 cm
When to plant shallot
Plant 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost.
Dashed line: typical last spring frost in zone 7 (Apr 5). Zone dates are averages; most of the UK is zone 8–9, central Europe 6–7 and the Baltics and Scandinavia 4–6. In the app, Tomatograph uses your garden's own frost dates.
How to grow shallot
- 1
Plant sets
Push sets 2.5 cm deep and 15–20 cm apart, tips just showing, 2–4 weeks before the last frost. In mild areas, autumn planting gives bigger bulbs.
- 2
Grow on
Each set multiplies into a cluster of 4–8 bulbs. Keep weeds down, as shallots hate competition.
- 3
Stop watering
Stop watering once the leaves start to yellow.
- 4
Harvest and cure
Lift when the foliage has died back, 90–120 days after planting. Cure for 2–4 weeks somewhere warm and dry; they store for up to six months.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun
Water
Low water
Temperature
-10–30 °C
Frost tolerance
Frost-hardy — tolerates frost
Days to maturity
90–120 days
How Tomatograph watches your shallot
Tomatograph checks your local forecast every morning and only speaks up when one of these applies to your garden.
- First frost within 14 daysReminder to mulch the roots before winter.
- 3 days at 35 °C or aboveHeat-wave alert while plants are flowering or fruiting: shade and water early.
- Humidity above 80% for 48 hoursCheck for downy mildew, which thrives in those conditions.
- Within a week of maturityHarvest-window reminder based on when you planted.
Shallot questions
- When should I plant shallot?
- Plant 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost.
- How long until I can harvest shallot?
- About 90–120 days after planting out, depending on variety and weather.
- How far apart should I plant shallot?
- Allow 15–20 cm between plants.
- What grows well with shallot?
- Good neighbours include carrot, tomato, beet.
Growing guide written by Tomatograph. Planting figures from openplantdb (CC0 1.0). Zone frost dates are averages from openplantdb (CC0 1.0).