When to plant Shallots in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Sow or plant shallots direct across the cool half of the year, from March through September, when subtropical days are shorter and milder. Set the sets or seed 30–50 mm deep, spacing plants 15–20 cm apart in rows 25–30 cm apart so the clusters have room to divide. From seed, expect germination in 10–14 days, and a crop ready to lift in roughly 84–105 days. This autumn-to-spring window matters in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, where planting into the humid summer invites rot rather than good bulbing.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to September.

Growing notes

Shallots grow in clumps that divide from a single planting, and in the subtropics the key to success is staying inside the cool-season window. Planted from autumn onward, they mature through the drier, milder months and dodge the summer wet. The main failure mode here is neck and bulb rot: warm, humid, waterlogged soil rots the clusters from the base up, especially if plants were set too deep or crowded.

Drainage is everything. Plant into raised, free-draining beds, keep the soil moist but never sodden, and ease off watering as the tops begin to yellow and fall, which signals the bulbs are finishing.

Companion planting helps: shallots sit well beside carrots, where their allium scent helps deter carrot fly. Keep them away from bush beans, though, as alliums inhibit bean growth and interfere with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria beans depend on.

Other points for Brisbane and Coffs Harbour growers:

• Weed diligently; shallots are poor competitors with shallow roots.
• Feed lightly early, then stop, as too much nitrogen delays bulbing.
• Lift on a dry day once the tops flop, and cure the bulbs in a warm, airy spot before storing.

Shallots at a glance

Companion planting

Grows well with

Carrot: Allium scent deters carrot fly

Keep away from

Bean (Bush): Alliums inhibit bean growth

Bean (Bush): Alliums inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Common questions

when should I plant shallots in the subtropics?

Plant from March through September. This autumn-to-spring window lets shallots mature through Brisbane's cooler, drier months and avoids the humid summer, when warm, wet soil rots the bulbs before they can divide properly.

why are my shallots rotting in the ground?

Usually warm, waterlogged soil, planting too deep, or crowding. Set them 30–50 mm deep in raised, free-draining beds, space 15–20 cm apart, and reduce watering as the tops yellow. Wet subtropical summers are the biggest risk.

can I grow shallots next to beans?

Better not to. Alliums like shallots inhibit bean growth and interfere with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria beans rely on, so keep them apart. Shallots do pair well with carrots, where their scent helps deter carrot fly.

how do I know when shallots are ready to harvest?

Wait until the tops yellow and flop over, then lift on a dry day, around 84–105 days from planting. Cure the divided clusters in a warm, airy place for a couple of weeks before storing so the necks dry down.

Keep exploring