How to grow Shallot in New Zealand
Shallots are small, sweet, mild onions grown from bulbs, each of which multiplies into a clump of six to twelve. Like garlic, they are traditionally planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest, and they are far less fussy about day length than bulb onions, which makes them easy for beginners.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Shallots
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | March to June | |
| Auckland | March to June | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | March to June | |
| Central North Island | March to June | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | March to June | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | March to June | |
| Canterbury | March to June | |
| Otago & Southland | March to June | |
| Central Otago | March to June |
Not to be confused with: Bulb onions and garlic, close relatives. In parts of Australia, spring onions are confusingly called shallots; true shallots form clusters of small bulbs.
Where to plant
Plant shallots in a sunny spot with well-drained soil enriched with compost and sheep pellets. Do not plant where onions, garlic or leeks have grown recently, to avoid soil-borne disease.
- Northland to Wellington and Nelson: plant from late summer through autumn into winter; the shortest day is the traditional date.
- Canterbury, Otago and Southland: plant in late autumn or winter where the soil drains well, or in early spring on heavy, wet soils.
Choosing a variety
- Ambition is a small, round, sweet, crisp brown shallot.
- French shallots have brown skin and purple-tinged flesh and crop reliably.
- Frog's Legs is a good cropper with brown skin and slightly purple flesh.
- Flowering shallot is an heirloom that sends up a flower spike on each bulb.
How to plant
- Buy shallot bulbs in winter from a garden centre; seedlings are rarely sold.
- Push each bulb into prepared soil about 15 cm apart, so the tip just pokes out of the ground.
- Water in, then keep the soil moist but not wet.
- If sowing from seed instead, sow in spring and summer, thinning to about 5 cm apart, to grow bulbs for planting the following autumn or winter.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist but not wet while the shallots grow. Ease off watering once the tops begin to yellow, so the bulbs ripen. Feed every four weeks during active growth with a vegetable fertiliser.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep the bed weed free, as shallots do not compete well.
- As the clump develops, gently draw some soil away from the bulbs so the sun can reach them.
- Birds sometimes pull newly planted bulbs out; push them back in or cover with netting until they root.
Harvesting
Harvest when the bulbs sit up above the ground and the tops start to die back, traditionally around the longest day. Lift the clumps with a fork rather than pulling the leaves, which can snap off. Leave them to dry on top of the soil for a week or so in fine weather.
Plait the dry leaves together or store the bulbs in a net somewhere dry and out of direct sun. Well-dried shallots keep for many months. Save a few of the best bulbs to plant next season.
Growing in pots
Shallots grow well in a wide pot or trough of vegetable mix in full sun. Plant bulbs about 15 cm apart and keep the mix moist but not wet.
Companion planting
Shallots are slim and fit between rows of other crops.
Good companions
- Carrot A traditional pairing; the two are grown in alternate rows.
- Beetroot Fits alongside and uses a different part of the soil.
- Lettuce A quick crop for the gaps between clumps.
- Strawberry Narrow and upright, so it fits between strawberry plants.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to shallot.
Pests and diseases
Shallots are easy-care and rarely suffer from pests or disease. They share the onion family's few problems.
Pests to watch for
- Thrips Silvery streaks on the leaves in warm, dry weather.
Diseases to watch for
- White rot Yellowing, wilting plants with white fluffy growth on the base of the bulbs. Do not grow onion-family crops in that soil for many years.
- Downy mildew Pale patches on the leaves with grey-purple fuzz in cool, damp weather.
Common questions
When do I plant shallots in New Zealand?
Traditionally on the shortest day, in late June, and harvest on the longest day, in late December. They can also be planted in autumn as the weather cools. Choose your region at the top of the page for the months.
How deep should I plant shallot bulbs?
Shallow. Tui advises setting them so just the tip pokes out of the soil, while Yates suggests 5 to 7 cm deep. In heavy or wet soil, shallower is safer.
When are shallots ready to harvest?
When the bulbs sit up above the ground and the tops yellow and die back, usually in early to mid summer. Lift them with a fork and dry them in the sun for about a week.
Can I plant shallots from the supermarket?
It is better to buy shallot bulbs from a garden centre, which are sold for planting and are less likely to carry disease.
How do I store shallots?
Dry them well, then plait the leaves or hang them in a net somewhere dry, airy and out of direct sun. They keep for many months.
Sources we checked: Tui: Shallot growing guide; Yates NZ: How to grow shallots; Kings Plant Barn: Shallots grow well guide.