Shallots are a member of the onion family prized for their taste and storability. I’ve grown them from seed before but this year I’ve been given some by a friend and saved some of my own so I’m using the bulbs to grow them from ‘sets’ as well as seed this year. Each one should develop into a cluster of bulbs. They need well cultivated soil as in compacted ground they’ll push themselves out of the ground. I’ve planted the sets in a raised bed with their tips protruding from the soil and added a layer of mulch. Apparently sets can be prone to bolt more than shallots sown from seed but I should get an earlier crop. We shall see.
Any ideas for Christmas gifts and gadgets for gardeners this year? Add a comment if you’ve bought, used or come across something that’s really helped you in your garden this year.