Shallots offer a milder, more nuanced taste than onions and a less pungent bite than garlic. This delicate flavor makes them a favored ingredient, adding depth to dishes from fine dining to everyday home cooking, enhancing sauces, roasts, and vinaigrettes.
Shallots and Perennial Nature
A perennial plant lives for more than two years, returning each season from its established root system. Shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) are perennial, belonging to the same family as onions and garlic.
Shallots multiply underground, forming clusters of new bulbs around the original planted bulb. A single planted shallot bulb can produce four to twelve new bulbs in a season. Despite their perennial nature, shallots are often cultivated as annuals commercially or by gardeners aiming for a single, larger harvest.
Growing Shallots Year After Year
To encourage shallots to return annually, planting them from “sets”—small, immature bulbs—is most effective than starting from seed. Shallots thrive in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They need well-drained soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. Amending the soil with compost before planting improves soil structure and fertility.
When planting for perennial growth, space individual shallot sets 6 to 10 inches apart to allow room for multiplying bulbs. Rows should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to prevent overcrowding and ease maintenance. In colder climates, applying a layer of mulch, such as straw or chopped leaves, can protect overwintering bulbs from harsh temperatures and heaving. Proper drainage is important to prevent bulbs from rotting during dormant periods.
Harvesting and Maintaining Perennial Shallots
Harvesting shallots for perennial growth involves “partial harvesting.” This means taking some bulbs from a mature clump while leaving others to continue growing and multiplying. When shallot tops begin to yellow and fall over in late summer, the bulbs are ready for harvest. Gently loosen the soil around the clump with a garden fork and remove desired bulbs, without disturbing the remaining ones.
To maintain vigor and productivity, dividing overcrowded clumps every three to four years is beneficial. This prevents competition for nutrients and space, encouraging larger, healthier bulbs. To divide, lift the clump, separate the bulbs, and replant the healthiest ones, ensuring adequate spacing.