Shallot
Allium cepa Aggregatum Group
A vegetable, planted March to May, or sown February or April.
In September: net the shallot and dry it off for storing.
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Shallot, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant shallot sets. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Net the shallot. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Dry the shallot off for storing. | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Lift the shallots. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in February, 1cm deep. Strong sources: RHS and Unwins.
Sow outdoors in April, 1.5cm deep, 10cm apart, rows 25cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant out March to May, 15 to 20cm apart, rows 25 to 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant shallot sets March to April, 2.5cm deep, 15 to 20cm apart, rows 25 to 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS. Weaker source for the depth: Burford Garden Co..
Net the shallot
This stops birds pulling up the newly planted bulbs.
Usually March, and September to November. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Dry the shallot off for storing
Gardeners call this curing and ripening off for storage.
Lay them in a single layer on wire racks or slatted trays, so air can circulate beneath.
Usually June to October. Strong source: RHS.
Lift the shallots
Usually July to August. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Shallot” comes from.