When to plant Shallots in the UK

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

Add to garden
Plant out October to November, harvest June to August.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Plant named autumn types once, in free-draining soil, for a lift next summer. Skip this if the ground sits wet.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    early October to mid-November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Dig the soil over before planting around early October to mid-November. Drainage must be good.

  2. 02

    Plant the Sets

    early October to mid-November UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant named autumn sets around early October to mid-November, tips just showing. Do not plant spring-only types. Space apart. Firm the soil. Water only if the ground is dry.

    • Skip planting if the bed sits wet.
    • Cover with fleece or mesh until they root.

  3. 03

    Keep Weed Free

    early October to mid-August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From early October to mid-August, keep weeds down. Hoe lightly between the rows.

  4. 04

    Lift and Cure

    mid-June to mid-August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Bulbs are ready next summer. Lift from mid-June when the foliage starts to yellow and fall over. 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.