Shallot 'Red Sun' (Autumn Planting)

Where to Plant
Plant Shallot ‘Red Sun’ in an open, sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil. Before planting, remove weeds and work in well-rotted garden compost if needed. Avoid freshly manured ground and areas that stay wet over winter, as shallots can rot in waterlogged soil.

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 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, particularly during dry weather while the bulbs are actively developing.

Watering & Feeding
Once established, shallots generally only need additional watering during prolonged dry spells. Keep them well watered in dry weather while the bulbs are actively developing and swelling, as a lack of moisture at this stage can limit their final size. Once the bulbs are fully developed and the foliage begins to yellow and fall over, stop watering to allow the crop to mature ready for lifting.

Well-prepared soil should provide a good start. On poorer soils, autumn-planted shallots can be given a balanced vegetable feed as growth gets underway in spring. Avoid excessive high-nitrogen feeding, which can encourage lots of leafy growth at the expense of good bulb development.

Keep Them Weed Free
Shallots have relatively shallow roots, so weeds can quickly compete with them for water and nutrients. Weed regularly, taking care not to damage the developing bulbs or shallow roots with a hoe.

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
Your ‘Red Sun’ shallots are ready to lift when 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 – lift 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.

Drying Your Shallots
Leave freshly lifted shallots somewhere dry and airy until the foliage 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
Once thoroughly dried, keep sound, undamaged ‘Red Sun’ bulbs in net bags or trays somewhere light, 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 the 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 and traybakes.

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 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
Your shallot sets can be planted out as soon as they arrive. Each small bulb will establish roots before multiplying as it grows to produce a cluster of new shallots for harvesting.

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.