When to plant Shallots in Dundee

Allium cepa Aggregatum Group

Shallot
Shallot · Allium cepa Aggregatum Group

A hardy allium for the UK garden, grown from sets. Plant in spring for a summer lift, or plant named autumn types for bulbs next summer. Give them a free-draining bed, keep weeds down, and lift once the tops yellow and fall over.

30 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Calibrated to Dundee · last frost ≈ 3 May

Plant out March to April, harvest July to October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Grow shallots from sets in open ground. Choose a free-draining bed and keep it weeded.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    4 Mar to 3 Apr

    Dig the soil over before planting around 4th March - 3rd April. Work in compost if the ground is poor. Drainage must be good.

  2. 02

    Plant the Sets

    4 Mar to 3 Apr

    Plant sets around 4th March - 3rd April, tips just showing. Space apart. Firm the soil. Water only if the ground is dry.

    • Skip planting if the bed sits wet.
    • Birds lift sets. Cover with fleece or mesh until they root.
  3. 03

    Keep Weed Free

    4 Mar to 1 Aug Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 4th March to 1st August, keep weeds down. Hoe lightly between the rows. Do not disturb the shallow roots.

  4. 04

    Lift and Cure

    28 Jul to 2 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Harvest from 28th July when the foliage starts to yellow and fall over. Lift carefully. Dry them for two to three weeks in an airy place, then store somewhere cool and dry.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Shallot to consider

Jermor

A long-storing, widely grown UK shallot with good-sized bulbs and a mild flavour.

Longor

A popular French-style shallot with long bulbs and reliable crops from sets.

Red Sun

A red-skinned shallot that grows well from sets and stores well after curing.

Shallot guides by town

See how Shallot timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.