Shallots! These little flavor bombs are the perfect addition to your culinary arsenal. And lucky for you shallots will thrive in even the most cramped of quarters, while cutting down on packaging waste and food miles. It's time to ditch those store-bought shallots (or at least buy a few less) and get your hands dirty with some homegrown shallots.
Shallots need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors: Not suitable for indoor growing; best grown outdoors in pots or garden beds.
Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist. Indoors, air can dry soil quickly; outdoors, water regularly, especially during hot weather. Mulching helps retain moisture.
Shallots are a cool weather crop and thrive in 32-75°F, ideally 50-70°F. Plant outdoors in March-April and August-September in NYC zone 7b. Needs cool weather for best bulb development.
Indoors: 6-8" wide, 6" deep, 1 gallon; Outdoors: 10-12" wide, 10-12" deep, 3-5 gallons
Shallots love well-draining potting mix with organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or garden compost.
Apply balanced fertilizer 10-10-10 every 3-4 weeks. Organic options: compost, bone meal, blood meal. Consistent feeding supports bulb development and overall health.
Shallots are ready for harvest 90-120 days after planting, or when the tops turn brown and fall over. Benefit from curing after harvest for storage.
Remove yellowing leaves to keep the plant healthy. Regular monitoring helps ensure a supply of mild, sweet shallots.
Yellow Leaves: Ensure good drainage, moderate watering. Slow Growth: Use balanced fertilizer. Pests (Thrips): Spray with soapy water or neem oil. Wilting: Water consistently, avoid waterlogging. Diseases (Downy Mildew): Improve air circulation, use fungicide.
There are around 10-15 varieties of arugula gardeners commonly grow. One of the perks of growing arugula at home is the opportunity to experiment with different varieties that you won't find at the grocery store.
Do you have any questions or requests? I'm here to help!