How to grow Shallot in Australia

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 15 cm
Time to harvest: 110 days
Soil pH: 6 to 7
Frost tolerance: Half hardy

Planted from sets rather than seed. Each set multiplies into a clump of six to twelve bulbs, so a handful of sets fills a bed.

At a glance

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	March to June
Northern Rivers NSW	March to June
Sydney & Coastal NSW	March to June
Melbourne & Victoria	March to June
Adelaide & SA	March to June
Perth & WA	March to June
Tasmania	March to May	Plant bulbs Mar to May, as for garlic. Cold winters suit them; lift when the tops fall in summer.
Canberra & ACT	March to May	Plant bulbs Mar to May, as for garlic. They root before winter, stand through the frost and are lifted in early summer.
North Queensland	April to July	Dry season. Plant bulbs Apr to Jul; they rot if they sit through monsoon rain.
Darwin & Top End	March to July	Plant bulbs Mar to Jul. The NT Government sowing calendar lists shallots from March, 12 to 14 weeks to harvest.

Cured properly in a dry airy spot, six to eight months in a cool dark cupboard.