[A Reyt Tayty]

Can you save shallots to use them as sets the following year?

[arugula]

Yes. That is what I am growing this year.

[Carrot Man]

That's normally how it works
Shallots are not very successful grown from seed and rarely done
Bring them on in pots first to get a strong root system, then plant out when strong enough

[Auntiemogs]

Oh dear...had mine in since last year and not a sign of green...maybe theys deed...

[BabbyAnn]

don't give up yet Auntiemogs - if the soil is cold, they'll be a little slower at making an appearance. 

[LilacSandy]

Mine took ages too Auntiemogs, they just started showing last week.

[Auntiemogs]

Thanks guys, I shall give them another month.  Glad to know I can save some for next year (if they come up & I don't eat them all, that is  ). 

[Carrot Man]

Just keep them dry and free from frost
Make sure you dry them out thoroughly at them end of the season

[arugula]

That's normally how it works
Shallots are not very successful grown from seed and rarely done
Bring them on in pots first to get a strong root system, then plant out when strong enough

For the backyard or plot gardener who might easily have bought shallot sets, if they didn't save them from their previous crop, its perfectly acceptlble to plant them straight out in the ground.

[Carrot Man]

Of course, but it's a good tip to start them off in pots as it is with onions sets
This allows the roots to get established and get a head start
I have always done it this way especially with onion sets and it saves  me having to fill the gaps when the birds have pulled them out or they have simply rotted

[gazza975526570]

Of course, but it's a good tip to start them off in pots as it is with onions sets
This allows the roots to get established and get a head start
I have always done it this way especially with onion sets and it saves  me having to fill the gaps when the birds have pulled them out or they have simply rotted

Seems a faff to start onion sets off first. If the birds pull them out (which they will!!!) just pop them back in the soil and they seem fine.

Just concious of that extra time, extra compost when for most there is no need.

[JayG]

I won't say I've never had a shallot set pulled out, but if you trim off any loose wispy bits of dried stem from the tops before planting, and make sure only the very tip sticks out of the ground, the birds haven't got a great deal to go at.

The list of crops which people feel the need to pre-chit or start indoors in modules seems to be getting ever longer, and often it can be justified, but shallots won't be going on my list of something needing that sort of special treatment anytime soon.

[Salmo]

Oh dear...had mine in since last year and not a sign of green...maybe theys deed...

I would dig one up to see what is going on. If there are roots forming you are OK. If they are soft with no sign of life by now you are not.

[mattwragg94]

my shallots are realy well established now - the shoots are around 6-8 inch's - i will be putting some more pics on my dairy later on

[sowitgrowit]

Regarding onion/shallot sets - In my garden I have a border of shallots (about 8" of growth on top) and a growbag of shallots (just poking through but sown later).

Over Easter Weekend we took on an allotment and on Saturday I finished clearing it. I was thinking of getting some Onion sets from Wilko to put in (two Rhubarb crowns are all I've put in so far).

Would you consider it too late for Onion sets now (mid April feels too late, but maybe that's just because my shallots went in weeks and weeks ago)?

Thanks in advance for the response, I look forward to any help I get (can't wait for the weather to pick up so my allotment can get into full swing!)