[DD.]

To save any confusion, I'm talking about these:

http://search.thompson-morgan.com/search?w=banana+shallot

The destructions say to sow directly March onwards & thin out.

A few points here, I did this last year, they came through, next time I was hoeing, guess what? Anyway that aside it says to sow thinly. With 5 thumbs on each hand that's the next problem, so I only got a very short row from a packet of 200 seed. (Good job these were end of season 50p jobs).

I also hate waste when there's not much in a packet, don't mind it with things like parsnips & carrots where you get 1,000's, but this is a different matter.

Bottom line is has anyone started these things in seed trays and transplanted?

[Nikkithefoot]

Yes I have.

I grow them in exactly the same way as leeks and onions. Sow thinly in a small pot or tray, transplant into individual cells or spaced out in a large tray. When big enough plant out in the plot / garden.

When I first grew them I transplanted them to about 4 inches final spacing between plants and 8 inches or so between rows, but in subsequent years I  put them closer, say a couple of inches it either direction and it didn't seem to affect them.

In terms of weeding,  hoeing is out the question when this close I usually get in close and personal, but I accept not everyone will be able to do this. They have even survived neglect, being almost smothered in weeds.

[mumofstig]

has anyone started these things in seed trays and transplanted

I have! I grow Long Red Florence which is very similar and I had a great crop last year 

from my 2011 diary

24th: Sowed .............Long Red Florence Onion in modules on the window cill

It's my job for today 

[DD.]

Thank you both!

Done my sowing quota for today, that's tomorrow's job, then.

[Trillium]

I know it doesn't help you now, but last year I sowed my shallot seeds the same way John does in his video on leeks. I used a large planter with soil and thinly seeded them there, then  with occasional watering, left them to grow on. By the time I planted them out, they were a nice size  -  and no transplanting (which I really try to avoid).

[DD.]

I feel a DD. leek method coming on!

Going to have to keep the cats out at night from now!

[sunshineband]

I feel a DD. leek method coming on!

Going to have to keep the cats out at night from now!

 

[hightide]

I had great success with these two seasons ago, however last season they were disastrous about 5 from the row.

This year I have ditched Thompson and Morgan and gone for Long Red Florence from Franchi, which I believe is the correct plant name.

They were sown four to a module in a sixtyfour module tray some weeks ago, the majority are through and have gone past the crook stage although a bit straggly as the light levels are not great yet.
The intention is to plant each module out and grow them as shallots, as I noticed that from the previous sowing when some seeds were bunched together they pushed each other apart as they grew with little check to growth.

This years experiment

[snowdrops]

Last year I sowed them 1 to a module inside & planted out at appropriate time, they made more of an onion than a shallot though.

[Trillium]

Going to have to keep the cats out at night from now!

You don't appreciate free watering? 

[DD.]

It's the free manuring and digging that goes with it that's the problem!