When to plant Shallots in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Plant shallots direct from February through September, setting sets or seed 30-50 mm deep. From seed, expect germination in 10-14 days, with bulbs maturing in 84-105 days. Space plants 15-20 cm apart with rows 25-30 cm apart in full sun and rich, free-draining soil. Shallots multiply into clusters of mild, sweet bulbs from a single planting, which makes them generous value in the bed. This long autumn-to-early-spring planting window suits temperate gardens across Melbourne, Adelaide and Newcastle, giving bulbs time to size up before the heat.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: February to September.

Growing notes

Shallots grow much like onions but split into a clump of several bulbs rather than forming one large one. They like an open, sunny bed with well-drained, fertile soil that was manured for a previous crop rather than freshly. Keep the planting bed weed-free, because shallots have shallow roots and compete poorly with weeds, which is a leading cause of small, disappointing bulbs.

The main failure mode in temperate gardens is bulbs that rot in wet ground. Shallots planted deep in heavy, waterlogged winter soil are prone to fungal rot at the base. The fix is drainage and shallow-ish planting: set them so the tip of the set sits just below the surface in beds that drain freely, and ease off watering as the bulbs mature and the tops start to yellow.

Companion planting helps here. A row of carrots nearby benefits from the shallots, as the allium scent deters carrot fly. Keep shallots well away from beans, though, as alliums inhibit bean growth and interfere with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on their roots. Stop watering when the foliage flops and yellows, then lift the clumps on a dry day and cure them in a warm, airy spot for a week or two before storing. Well-cured shallots keep for months.

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 do I plant shallots in Adelaide?

Plant from late summer through to early spring, anywhere across February to September. In Adelaide an autumn planting gives bulbs a long, cool season to size up before summer heat arrives.

How deep should I plant shallots?

Set sets or seed 30-50 mm deep, spaced 15-20 cm apart. In heavier or wetter soil, plant toward the shallower end so the bulbs are less likely to rot at the base.

What should I not plant near shallots?

Keep them away from beans, as alliums inhibit bean growth and disrupt the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on bean roots. Carrots, on the other hand, make good neighbours because the shallot scent deters carrot fly.

How do I know when shallots are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the tops flop over and yellow, usually 84-105 days after planting. Stop watering, lift the clumps on a dry day, and cure them in a warm, airy place before storing.

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