[juvenal]

This time last year I potted up two dozen shallots and put them in a cold frame. Around the same time I planted more shallots into open ground.

The cold frame shallots went out into the open when 6" leaves were present. At harvest time the potted/cold frame shallots were markedly bigger and more productive than the open ground crop - although open grounders were quite acceptable.

Just a thought for anyone with an empty cold frame and plenty of 3" pots...

[Gardener and Rabbit]

That's interesting, I started some small shallots off in pots last year to give them a head start, and they did very well too. Potted them up in old coir compost from the tomato pots, but left mine outside.

[oldgrunge]

Always start mine off in pots in greenhouse/ frame. Wife complains they're too big when I harvest! No pleasing some people!!