Got Shallots?

[digitS']

Like most onions, they are a fairly homely vegetable . . . But, not much says home-cookin' better than the smell of onions in the skillet! Or, onions in that signature casserole for Sunday supper !

Here's an onion family member that I enjoy, shallots:

They aren't terribly productive, this is most out of about 50sqft. It was time for this batch to go. (Here's a word for your glossary: senesce. "When the plant reaches maturity, the leaves senesce as nutrients are moved into the bulb." Yep, they do.)

Also, there was a bag of onion sets that was saved in the fridge until about the 1st of July. They, and some lettuce transplants, were put in between the rows of shallots so that those plants could take advantage of the space after the shallots senesced.

These are French Gray and there are quite a few Prismas. There are still a few Prismas out there completing their growth. And, I planted some Picador seed this year. The plants are still fairly small but look like they should produce adequate size bulbs for replanting in '11. I might even eat 1 or 3 just to learn how they are different from what I've already got!!

I've had French Gray for over 20 years. Shallots are super easy to grow.

Steve

 

[hoodat]

I'm just a couple of weeks away from harvesting my first shallot seeds. Do they need some time to rest after harvesting or can I plant them immediately?

 

[digitS']

Haven't a clue, Hoody!

I have planted shallot seed only twice and waited fairly late in the spring to do that - as I would with onion seeds. I try to kill every weed seedling before sowing the onion seed rather than pull so much chickweed and such out of the tiny things!

Oh yeah, I've planted sweet onion seed in late August before! Did that last year again by putting them in the most protected area of the garden. I just harvested those sweet onions! Just a dozen or so but they made it thru winter and only 2 bolted in the spring. We only had one night with subzero temperatures last winter.

Some of my Prisma sets bolted as they did last year from a March planting. These shallots that can make flowers and seed are new to me! I'm used to the ones that can only reproduce vegetativetabletivetativetily . . . .

Steve

edited to change an "e" to a "d", sorry about that.

 

[Hollywood Gardens]

This fall I am going to try shallots with my carrots to keep the bugs away.

 

[digitS']

Bugs?

Carrot fly or onion maggots?

S'

 

[hoodat]

I wish I knew what kind I have. I just got them from the grocery store and the variety wasn't identified. They are quite large for a shallot with a thick red/brown skin. They are doing very well for me. I've sort of ignored them other than an occasional watering. They are just starting to show browning at the leaf tips and are in the seed forming stage of flowering.

 

[digitS']

 

[Hollywood Gardens]

Bugs?

Carrot fly or onion maggots?

S'

I read that they will keep carrot fly away, so I will give it a try!!