Shallot ‘Red Sun’ (Spring Planting)

Where to Plant

Plant Shallot ‘Red Sun’ in an open, sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Before planting, remove weeds and work in well-rotted garden compost if needed. Avoid freshly manured ground and soil that stays wet, as shallots can rot in waterlogged conditions.

When to Plant

Plant your spring ‘Red Sun’ sets from March to April, once the soil is workable and beginning to warm. If the ground is cold, saturated or waterlogged, wait for conditions to improve before planting.

Planting

Plant each set with the pointed end facing upwards and the tip just showing above the soil surface. Space sets around 15cm apart, with 30cm between rows. Gently firm the soil around them and water after planting.

Growing in Containers

‘Red Sun’ can also be grown in a large, well-drained container. Choose a pot at least 30cm wide and deep and space the sets around 15cm apart, allowing room for each one to multiply into a cluster of new shallots. Container-grown plants will need more regular watering than those in the ground.

Watering & Feeding

Keep your shallots watered during prolonged dry spells while the bulbs are actively developing and swelling. Their root systems are relatively shallow, so don't allow the soil to become excessively dry during this important stage of growth.

As the bulbs reach maturity and the foliage begins to yellow and fall naturally, reduce and then stop watering so the crop can ripen ready for lifting.

Well-prepared fertile soil should usually provide a good start. On poorer ground, apply a balanced vegetable feed as growth gets underway. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of good bulb development.

Keep Them Weed Free

Shallots don't compete well with weeds, so keep the ground around them clear. Weed by hand close to the plants or hoe carefully between the rows to avoid damaging their shallow roots and developing bulbs.

Protecting Newly Planted Sets

Birds can sometimes pull newly planted shallot sets from the soil before they've rooted properly. Check them regularly and gently push any disturbed sets back into place. Fleece or suitable netting can be used temporarily until the sets are securely rooted.

Watch for Scapes

Occasionally a shallot may start to flower, known as bolting, producing a flower stalk often called a scape. Remove it as soon as it appears so the plant can concentrate its energy on developing the bulbs. Young, tender scapes are edible too, so don't waste them – chop them and use them much like spring onions or garlic greens. Bulbs from plants that have flowered may not store as well, so use these first after harvesting.

Good Companions

Grow shallots alongside crops such as carrots, beetroot, lettuce and other leafy salads. Their upright growth means they fit neatly into a mixed vegetable plot without taking up too much space.

Making the Most of Your Bed

Quick-growing crops such as radishes and salad leaves can be grown nearby and harvested while your shallots are still developing. Just make sure the shallots aren't crowded and continue to receive plenty of light.

Crop Rotation

Avoid growing shallots where onions, garlic, leeks or other shallots have recently been grown. These crops belong to the same plant family and can be affected by some of the same soil-borne pests and diseases.

Planning Ahead

Where possible, leave three to four years before growing onion-family crops in the same spot again. Once your ‘Red Sun’ crop has been lifted, the cleared ground can be used for later-sown salads and other quick-growing vegetables.

When to Harvest

Lift your ‘Red Sun’ shallots in summer once the foliage begins to turn yellow and naturally flop over. There's no need to wait for every plant to reach exactly the same stage – harvest mature clusters as they're ready.

How to Harvest

Choose a dry day and carefully loosen the soil beneath each cluster with a garden fork. Lift the bulbs gently to avoid bruising or damaging them, then carefully separate the individual shallots.

Drying Your Shallots

Leave freshly lifted shallots somewhere dry and airy until the foliage, necks and outer skins are thoroughly dry and papery. In fine weather they can be dried outside; if conditions are damp, move them somewhere covered with plenty of ventilation.

Storing Your Harvest

‘Red Sun’ is a good storing shallot. Once thoroughly cured, keep sound, undamaged bulbs in net bags or trays somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated. Check them occasionally and remove any bulbs that begin to soften or deteriorate.

Top Tip

Use any damaged bulbs first, along with bulbs from plants that produced a scape, and keep your firmest, thoroughly dried bulbs for later use.

Flavour

‘Red Sun’ has crisp white flesh with a rich, flavoursome bite. It has plenty of character, making it a useful shallot when you want its flavour to stand up well in a finished dish.

Best Enjoyed

Slice it finely into salads and dressings, roast the bulbs whole, slowly caramelise them for sauces and gravies, or add them to casseroles.

Great for Pickling

The rounded bulbs make ‘Red Sun’ particularly handy for pickling. Save some of the smaller bulbs from your harvest and pickle them whole for a crisp, tangy addition to a ploughman's lunch or cheeseboard.

Make the Most of Your Crop

Use smaller bulbs whole for pickling and roasting, and keep the larger bulbs for slicing and chopping. It's a simple way to make good use of the different sizes in your harvest.

Top Tip

Try roasting smaller shallots whole until soft. Slow cooking mellows their flavour and brings out their natural sweetness.

What to Expect When They Arrive
‘Red Sun’ is supplied as dormant shallot sets in a netted bag, ready for spring planting. Sets are sold by weight, so the number of individual bulbs you receive may vary slightly from the approximate count shown on our website.

Ready to Plant
Plant your shallot sets once conditions are suitable in spring. Each small bulb will establish roots before multiplying as it grows to produce a cluster of new shallots for harvesting in summer.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away
Keep the sets in their netted bag somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated until you're ready to plant. Check them occasionally and plant as soon as conditions allow.