Shallot - Allium cepa var. aggregatum
Full sun.
Jul–Sep depending on sowing time.
Mar–May outdoors after risk of frost.
30–50cm height; bulbs 5–8cm diameter.
Overview
A productive summer crop grown for fresh pods. Provide support if climbing types, keep watered during flowering, and pick regularly for the best texture. Fresh beans are great lightly steamed, stir-fried, or added to salads and casseroles.
- Vegetable Type: Shallot
- Key Characteristic: Mild, sweet flavour ideal for roasting and French-style dishes.
- Hardiness: Hardy (tolerates normal UK winter conditions).
PLANTING ADVICE
Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Best grown in the ground, though smaller types can be grown in deep containers.
- Outdoor cultivation
Best grown outdoors in well-prepared soil in full sun or light shade depending on crop.
- Greenhouse cultivation
Not suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
CARE & HARVEST
Keep soil moist and weed free. Firm soil gently around stems to prevent wind rock. Protect from caterpillars with netting where needed. Harvest heads or leaves while young and tender.
- Watering: Water while plants are establishing, then reduce watering as bulbs mature to avoid rot.
- Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in early growth, but stop feeding once bulbs begin to swell.
- Cutting and prunning: Remove any damaged or diseased growth as needed.
- Harvesting: Harvest once tops turn yellow and flop over. Lift and dry thoroughly before storing.
- Pest and diseases: Monitor regularly for pests and remove affected growth promptly.
VERVE RECOMMENDS...
- Harvest little and often to keep plants productive and performing at their best.