[chickpeacurry]

I haven't planted any shallots yet and I wondered whether it would be ok to use shop bought shallot. Lidl are selling shallots for 19p per bag. I was thinking about putting some in compost in the greenhouse. Is this likely to be successful. Thanks and a Happy Christmas.

[Paul Plots]

Is it worth it?

I expect they would germinate but whether they go on to produce a worthwhile crop in months to come is another matter. Shallots in the shops may have been grown abroad in a warmer climate and not do well here. Or they be the type that are planted in autumn so there again a possible problem.

Someone else might be better able to advise you but......

I'm heading to our local nursery. It's a family run place and they buy in for local allotment holders and growers so their shallots and onion bulbs are not pre-packed and expensive.

Keep an eye open in BandCue as shallots aren't too dear. Occasionally £land, Morrisons and Wilkos sell shallots for spring planting.

On the other hand - if you do decide to go ahead it'd be great to know how you get on.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[m1ckz]

LIKE ONIONS      THEY WILL KNOW ITS THERE SECOND YEAR AN WILL GO TO SEED

[DD.]

LIKE ONIONS      THEY WILL KNOW ITS THERE SECOND YEAR AN WILL GO TO SEED

I don't really follow that - even from a nursery it will be a shallots second year, but as Paul says, it's not worth it. You don't know the shallot's history, far better to get some from a reputable nursery, they don't cost the earth. What price failure?

[Salmo]

If these are proper shallots then it is worth doing. Plant them straight in the ground any time between now and the Spring.

Proper shallots are grown from sets and some of the smaller ones are saved for sets the next year.

However, if they have been grown from seed (really just small onions)they will go to seed in their second year.

If you look carefully you can tell the difference. Shallots from seed will have a neat root area just like an onion. Proper shallots will have a scar at the bottom where they have been broken away from the other shallots in the cluster.

[Paul Plots]

I have a tray of harvested shallots in storage in the garage. I could put some aside for planting rather than eat them. Not enough for planting & eating as we've eaten loads.

So.... we will eat the ones I have grown and I will buy another lot to plant for next year's crop.

It is a good financial return. You get many more at harvest time than you plant. Can't wrong. I also get to try out different varieties each year and the fun of caring for them and seeing them grow.

Off to the nursery early in the New Year - something to look forward to.