Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: heygrow on February 09, 2018, 15:33

Title: Shallot sets concern
Post by: heygrow on February 09, 2018, 15:33

I just had delivery of some Shallot sets from DTB (Bistro). I was surprised to see how big they were. They seem to be the size that I would expect the shallots to be at harvest! I mean they are around golf ball size. We have some we bought from the supermarket for cooking that are smaller!!

I don't know if it is worth planting them or just using them as they are. Any thoughts from anyone??

Title: Re: Shallot sets concern
Post by: New shoot on February 09, 2018, 15:46

Panic not, they are fine  :)

Shallots grow and spilt into bulbs.  The mother bulb in the centre dies away and your crop is the daughter bulbs that form around it.

Title: Re: Shallot sets concern
Post by: heygrow on February 09, 2018, 15:50

OK thanks New Shoot.

Never grown Shallots before, so thought they were like onions. You live and learn!  :)

Title: Re: Shallot sets concern
Post by: sunshineband on February 09, 2018, 18:51

And you can plant them as soon as the ground is not frozen solid, as they are as tough as they come. Tips of the bulb just showing.

I am always amazed at the weight of crop each bulb gives!!

Title: Re: Shallot sets concern
Post by: Silva on February 11, 2018, 19:41

Quote from: sunshineband on February 09, 2018, 18:51

And you can plant them as soon as the ground is not frozen solid, as they are as tough as they come. Tips of the bulb just showing.

I am always amazed at the weight of crop each bulb gives!!

That's good to know, I planted some at the beginning of the month and they've just sort of sat there doing nothing. I suppose they will put up shoots when the weather warms a little?

Title: Re: Shallot sets concern
Post by: New shoot on February 12, 2018, 10:40

Quote from: Silva on February 11, 2018, 19:41

I suppose they will put up shoots when the weather warms a little?

Yes they will, but they will be forming roots first, so don't worry if you don't see anything for a few weeks yet  :)

Title: Re: Shallot sets concern
Post by: Silva on February 12, 2018, 17:12

Quote from: New shoot on February 12, 2018, 10:40

Quote from: Silva on February 11, 2018, 19:41

I suppose they will put up shoots when the weather warms a little?

Yes they will, but they will be forming roots first, so don't worry if you don't see anything for a few weeks yet  :)

Great! Thanks! :)