Shallot plants are a type of onion that produce small bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. They are usually planted in early spring and harvested in late summer. Shallots are low maintenance and require minimal care, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners. Shallots prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and should be spaced about 6 inches apart. Shallots are a great addition to soups, salads, and other dishes.
Planning Your Garden With Shallots
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Shallots are a perennial plant. |
| USDA Zone | Shallots are hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Shallots are cold-hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for shallots is usually around 90-120 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown shallot plant is about 8-10 inches in height and 4-6 inches in diameter. |
| Spacing requirements | Shallots prefer a spacing of 6-8 inches apart when planted in rows. You should also leave 12-18 inches between rows. |
| Sun tolerance | Shallots are tolerant of full sun and will usually produce the best yields when grown in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Shade tolerance | Shallots are tolerant of partial shade but prefer full sun. They will produce better yields in full sun, but can tolerate light shade for part of the day. |
| Water requirements | Shallots prefer moist, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. They should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. During the growing season, they should be watered deeply enough to keep the soil moist, but not saturated. During the winter months, you should water sparingly, only when the soil feels dry. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing shallots depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing shallots is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Shallots are Popular
People like to grow shallots because they are relatively easy to grow, require little maintenance, and have a mild flavor that can be used in a variety of dishes. Shallots are also very versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes, from salads to sauces. They are also known to have health benefits, such as being a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Companion Plants For Shallots
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for shallots include:
Common Pests For Shallots
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow shallots, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- aphids
- onion maggots
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
