The shallot, along with onion and garlic, is one of the most important ingredients in French cuisine. So if you have a piece of garden, why not start with it? A relatively easy vegetable to grow, it will revive your dishes and bring some benefits to your body. The shallot has antioxidant properties, has an antimicrobial effect and is rich in vitamin B6, photophore, magnesium, potassium or even iron. [1]† So to your gardening gloves and your bulbs!
Prepare your soil well
Before planting your bulbs (previously purchased from a garden center), remember to prepare your soil properly. Choose a sunny position sheltered from the wind. Weed and add a few handfuls of compost to your soil, as well as all-purpose fertilizer. [2]
Space your bulbs well
When your soil is ready, all you need to do is plant your bulbs. The operation can be repeated from mid-November (in the hottest areas, otherwise from February) to mid-March. To do this, make a groove in your vegetable garden and then gently push the bulbs into the soil with the head at ground level. Tamp the ground all around. Make sure that each bulb is about 6 inches (15 cm) apart to give them all the space they need to grow well. If you want to maximize the yield and make several furrows, space them 30 cm apart. [3]
Keep an eye on your plants
If the shallots are quite robust plants, a little supervision is essential. So water your plants when the weather is too dry. Watch out for excess water. When you see flowers appear, remove the tips. [4]
Pick when the leaves turn yellow
The harvest can start in the summer, in July and August. You’ll know your shallots are ready to go to your kitchen when the leaves of your plants start to turn yellow. Then let them dry and store them in a bag or container, frost-free.
Now you know how to grow shallots in your garden. Did you like this article? Learn how to grow mint in this article. An ideal plant for novice gardeners and planters.