When should I plant shallot sets in the UK?

Late February to mid-March is the main spring planting window. Earlier-planted sets risk rotting in cold wet soil; later-planted sets don't have time to mature properly. Hardy overwintering varieties (Red Sun, Yellow Moon) can be planted in November–December for an earlier July crop.

How many shallots do I get from one set?

6–12 daughter bulbs per set, depending on cultivar and growing conditions. Banana / Echalion shallots tend to produce fewer, longer bulbs (5–8); round shallots produce more, smaller bulbs (8–12). One small bag of sets typically yields 5–10 kg of shallots from a 5-metre row.

What's the difference between shallots and onions?

Both are Allium cepa but different cultivar groups. Shallot (Aggregatum Group): one set produces a cluster of bulbs; sweeter, milder flavour; longer storage life (8–10 months); easier to grow. Onion (Cepa Group): one set produces one bulb; stronger flavour; varied storage life. Both have the same general care; shallots are arguably easier and more forgiving.

What's the difference between banana shallots and round shallots?

Banana / Echalion shallots (Longor, Pikant, Eschalote Grise): long elongated bulbs, 4–6 per cluster, premium kitchen variety. Round shallots (Golden Gourmet, Red Sun, Mikor): traditional round bulbs, 8–12 per cluster, heavier overall yield. The flavours are similar; the choice is about size and yield-per-set.

Why are my shallots small and undersized?

Most likely: too much nitrogen (rich soil), too much shade, planted too late, or allium leaf miner damage. Don't fork in fresh manure before planting; sun for at least 6 hours a day; plant by mid-March in spring; net against leaf miner from March onwards.

How long do shallots store?

8–10 months for well-cured properly-stored bulbs — well into the following spring. The trick is full curing (necks fully papery and dry before stacking) and cool dry storage. Round shallots typically store longer than banana types. Inspect monthly; soft ones go to the kitchen first.

Shallot — Grow

Shallot

Allium cepa Aggregatum Group

vegetable☀️ full-sun🪴 loam📏 small🌡️ RHS H5

📋Quick Facts

Height

0.3-0.5m

Spread

0.1-0.2m

About

Plant shallot sets from late February to mid-March (or in November–December for autumn-planted overwintering types). Shallots are hardy (RHS H5–H6) and one of the easiest UK alliums — set one bulb in the ground in spring, lift a cluster of 6–12 daughter bulbs in July. They want a sunny well-drained bed with low nitrogen (rich soil makes leaves not bulbs). Plant 15 cm apart with the tip just showing above the soil; allium leaf miner is the main pest now widespread across the UK, so net from March onwards. Lift when the foliage yellows and topples; cure in the sun for two weeks before storing in mesh bags. Shallots keep 8–10 months — well into the following spring. Banana / Echalion shallots (Longor, Pikant) give long elegant bulbs; round shallots (Golden Gourmet, Red Sun) give heavier yields.

Top tip

Plant shallot sets shallowly, keep weeded, and dry clusters well before storing.

Also known as: Schalotte, Allium cepa Aggregatum Group, Shallot, Échalote, Chalota

How to grow shallot

1
Choose sets or seed
Sets (small immature bulbs): easier, faster, what most UK gardeners grow. Each set produces a cluster of 6–12 daughter bulbs. Seed: cheaper per plant, gives access to more cultivars, but slower — sow indoors February for transplanting April. Sets are the default choice.
2
Prepare a sunny well-drained bed
Full sun, well-drained soil. Fork in compost from the previous autumn but not fresh manure (high nitrogen makes lush leaves and small bulbs). Slightly alkaline (pH 6.5–7.0) is ideal.
3
Plant the sets
Late February to mid-March for spring planting; November–December for overwintering autumn types (Red Sun, Yellow Moon are hardy enough). Push each set into the soil so just the tip shows above the surface, 15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. Firm in well.
4
Net against allium leaf miner
From March onwards. Phytomyza gymnostoma tunnels into shallot, onion, leek and chive stems and is now widespread across the UK. Net with 5 mm enviromesh on hoops from before adults are active (March) until lifting.
5
Watch out for birds
Birds sometimes pull newly-planted sets out, looking for grubs in the dry roots. Net for a fortnight after planting if birds are a problem in your garden.
6
Hand-weed
Hand-weed throughout the season; shallots compete poorly with weeds. Hoe carefully between rows; don't disturb the developing clusters.
7
Stop watering when foliage yellows
From late June, watch for the foliage to yellow and topple — the sign that bulbs have stopped swelling and are ripening. Stop watering at this point; bulbs cure best in dry conditions.
8
Lift, cure, and store
Lift the clusters with a fork in July when foliage has fully yellowed. Separate the bulbs gently by hand; don't break the necks. Lay on top of the soil to dry in the sun for a week if dry; otherwise move to an airy shed for 2 weeks. When necks are fully papery, trim foliage to 5 cm; store in mesh bags or trays in a cool dry place. Keep 8–10 months.

Common questions

Pest Resilience

4/5 — Good resilience

Allium chemistry deters most pests; few problems.

Companion Planting

Grows well with

Carrot Beetroot Lettuce Tomato Wild strawberry

Keep apart from

Pea Broad bean Runner bean

Visual Characteristics

🍳

Culinary

Culinary Use

Vinaigrettes, sauces, pickled, caramelised, stir-fries, Thai curries, confit

The shallot year in your garden

Dispatching imaginary bots to check your garden out...

What to do now

How to Propagate

🔪Division

Easy

🌱Bulb

Moderate

Hardiness Zones

H1a (tender)H7 (very hardy)

H1a

H1b

H1c

RHS H5

USDA 6–7 equivalent

Shallot

Shallot

📋Quick Facts

About

How to grow shallot

Common questions

Pest Resilience

Companion Planting

Visual Characteristics

The shallot year in your garden

How to Propagate

Hardiness Zones

Names in Other Languages(4)