shallots -- planting

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I am planting shallots this spring in the piedmont of NC. I would like to know how soon I can do this and if there are tips or any "magic" that makes them grow better? Thanks.

I did not mean to post this question to dairygoats.

-- TD Matheny (theny@intrex.net), February 24, 2002

Answers

The few times I've planted shallots in the spring, I plant them the same time I do onions. That works ok but I have better luck planting them in the fall when I do garlic.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), February 24, 2002.

Shallots can be either planted in the fall and mulched in cold areas or early in the spring, same time as you'd plant onions. However, you can not crowd them like onions. For the biggest shallots, they should be planted at 8 inch spacing if not more. And they do not like wet feet. A raised bed or very well drained loose soil is most appreciated. I grow mine in a raised bed and the soil is about one- third sand. And NO weeds! Shallots do like competition of any kind, even themselves. And they are something that you only buy once as you save the smaller ones for the next year's planting while eating just the big ones. You'll find it not unusual to get as many as a dozen in return for each bulb planted and they will last a year if stored properly.

-- Martin Longseth (paquebot@merr.comm), February 25, 2002.

Typographical error crept into last post, a word was missing. Shallots do NOT like competition. Thanks to those who contacted me to point out my conflicting information. Damned bi-focals!

-- Martin Longseth (paquebot@merr.com), March 18, 2002.

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