Shallots ask for almost nothing between planting and lifting, splitting quietly underground into a cluster of bulbs from each single set.
Shallots planted in autumn get a head start on the growing season and tend to crop earlier and more reliably than a spring planting. Pushed straight into a mulched, undisturbed bed rather than a dug trench, each set splits into a cluster of several bulbs by the time it’s ready to lift.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Plant in October | Plant in November | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in July | Harvest in August |
Care details
- Harvest July – August
Lift once the foliage has yellowed and fallen over, and leave to dry before storing.
- Plant October – November
Plant autumn sets into a sunny, free-draining bed.
Growing tips & common problems
- Plant sets (small bulbs) rather than growing from seed — it's far more reliable and needs no propagator.
- Push sets into the surface of the bed rather than burying them deep; roots pull them down as they grow.
- Keep the bed weed-free while shallots are small — they don't compete well and weeds slow bulb formation more than they would with a leafier crop.
Grows well with
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