How to grow Shallot
in the US

Shallots are a proper treat, a bit milder than an onion, great for cooking. They don't take up loads of space and can give you a cracking crop if you treat 'em right. They're in the Amaryllidaceae family, same as onions, and I'd say they're medium difficulty to grow, nothing too tricky.

Sowing

Right, sowing shallots. You'll want to get them in the ground around 100 days before you're hoping to harvest. For folks in warmer zones, like zones 9 and 10, that can mean January or even October and November, while up in zone 3 you're looking at April or May. Check your USDA zone, like the app says, because timing really does vary. You can sow them direct outside once the soil warms up a bit and the danger of a hard frost has passed, about half an inch deep and maybe 4 inches apart. If you want a bit of a head start, you can sow them indoors in trays a few weeks before your last frost date, then transplant them out.

Growing on

If you've started your shallots indoors, they'll need 'hardening off' before they go out into the garden proper. That means gradually getting them used to the outdoor conditions over about a week or two, you know, putting them out for a few hours each day. Plant them out about 6 inches apart in rows, with your rows about a foot apart. They don't need any support, they're pretty sturdy. You can grow them in containers too, if you're a bit short on garden space, just make sure the pot is deep enough for the roots and has good drainage.

Looking after it

Shallots like a bit of consistent moisture, especially when they're bulbing up, so keep them watered if it's dry. A good mulch around them can help keep the weeds down and hold that moisture in, which saves you a job. They aren't super hungry, but a balanced feed every now and then won't hurt, especially if your soil isn't the best. Just keep an eye on them, keep the weeds away, and they'll do their thing.

What goes wrong

To be honest, shallots are usually pretty trouble-free, which is why I'm always chuffed to grow them. Slugs can be a bit of a nuisance when the young shoots are just coming up, so keep an eye out and use whatever slug control works for you. Aphids might pop up now and then, but a strong spray of water usually sorts them out. Companion planting with marigolds or nasturtiums can sometimes help keep the nasties away too, like I say, a simple trick.

Harvest

You'll know your shallots are ready to harvest around July or August, or about 100 days from sowing, when the tops start to yellow and fall over. That's your sign. Carefully lift them out of the ground with a fork, being careful not to damage the bulbs. Leave them to dry, or 'cure', in a warm, airy spot for a couple of weeks – my greenhouse is cracking for this, or a sheltered spot in the garden. Once they're properly dry, store them in a cool, dry place.