[susie]

Only just got these shallot sets, and have not yet planted them as the ground is too wet and sticky.  Do you think they would be alright if I started them off in Richy's Paper pots in a greenhouse.
I am growing these as a favour for neighbour and would hate anything to go wrong as he got them from a specialist grower, who stated that they should be planted on the shortest day. (I think thats December) so i'm a bit late.........any ideas

[Trillium]

The paper pots are better than simply leaving them so get them planted. And plant out the pots asap outside as the roots will quickly become too large for the pot.

[Salmo]

I would not bother with pots. You are still in plenty of time to plant shallots outside. Wait until the soil dries a little and plant them at the first opportunity. You would not have gained anything by planting in December as the soil has been too cold for growth. They may have rotted if they were in the ground.

[susie]

thought pots might give them a start as my soil is very wet and clay based

[cornykev]

Hi Susie I've put some onions in pots already and will put some shalllots in as well, my plot like yours is too wet at the moment, it won't hurt to try some, this time last year mine had been in a good few weeks, so whats there to lose, I will trial six of each, when you get round to planting the rest just keep an eye on them and see if the others catch them up.          

[susie]

good idea, cornykev, I think that I will give that a try, I had onion sets in the ground by this time last year, everything seems to be later at the moment, but I suppose they will all catch up when the weather gets better, so much for global warming...!!
Thanks for your advise.