[Chris C]

Hi All
I have had my seed potatoes chitting in the green houe for a couple of weeks now but not a lot seems to be happening.....a few have sprouts on but they look a deep purple colour and i was expecting nice green shoots ...do you think they are ok ??
Also got my shallots today and have a 6' x 12' bed dug over with lots of manure dug in ready for them... am i right in thinking to plant them i should make a shallow trench place them in and fill around each one leaving the top half exposed....how far apart should i make the rows.....sorry if these seem really silly questions but i a complete novice and would like to start out on the right foot.

Thanks Chris

[newatthis]

hi, no not a silly question, as i would like to know too

[Elcie]

Can't help you with the shallots I am afraid but the potatoes are doing exactly what they should be doing.  Small purple shoots are just what you need for healthy growing rather than the long white sprouts you might see if you left them in the dark.

[Chris C]

Thanks Elcie....thats put my mind at rest, i was begining to think there was something wrong with them.
Just need to sort out my shallot question before i head back down the plot tomorrow ready for planting them.

[sunshineband]

Shallots need to be about 6 ins apart each way, with just their very tip above the ground.

Careful not to just push then in or the soil beneath then will compact and make it difficult for their roots to grow properly. Dig a little hole for each one. and cover them gently and then firm the soild aorund them with your hand.

I usually put mine slightly deeper to stop the blackbirds pulling them up by the little strawy end bit, and this seems fine too.

They then just get on with it until they are ready to harvest 

[DD.]

I don't make trenches, just drop them in a slit made with a trowel.

I space the rows 12" apart, the onions 6" apart and shallots 9" apart within the rows. Some plant closer but I like to leave plenty of room for the hoe.

This is where I diverge from the books. Shallots about half their depth is fine, but I completely bury, (but only just), the onion sets so there are no stalks sticking out for the birds to tug at. Trim off any excess first and you'll find that's only slightly deeper than the text book depth.