Cooking Herbs

Yes.

Always curious ~ foolhardy ~ I clicked the link.

Immediately, the screen was blocked by a message to "OK" a software upgrade. I closed that window, immediately --- didn't want to click even on the "decline."

Steve

I started shallots from seed again this year and again used seed that I'd saved.

This isn't an F3 generation. There was still viable seed from a couple years ago, so F2. I don't notice any changes from F1 & earlier F2. @hoodat and I have now taken this seedsaving route.

As best as I can figure, all commercial shallot seed is F1. Some of the F1 bulbs from seed will make flowers their 2nd year.

Shallots are probably not all that unique genetically. They are Allium cepa like most other onions. Flavor is where they differ. I like onions but shallots are real special.

This is about the time that shallots from bulbs can be harvested. From seed, the things will need the entire growing season. They grow slowly and can suffer from crowding and weeds. Still, they make nice bulbs by October.

Steve

Just removed the link my friend
thank you, some one hacked my site

I've got a question about shallots... I've only grown them once. They did ok. I had bought 2 bags this spring and forgot about them, and just found them in the sunroom. They still look firm and good to plant. I'm sure I won't get anything from them this late in the season, but do you think they would overwinter and come back if I put them in a sheltered location and left them? My walking onions always have. Heck, I wouldn't mind if they just went to seed next year, as long as they survived the winter.

Since you have them, why not plant now? Won't grow to full potential but they should grow.

I've never grown shallots but I think they are a lot like garlic. Either plant them in the fall and let them overwinter or plant them early in the spring, very early. What would I do with two bags of garlic left over from the spring in your situation?

Do you have a fairly cool place to store them, a root cellar of maybe a cool basement? Or dig a hole and seal them in a jar, box, or something? It's Bastille Day, try to preserve one bag another two months, then plant them. I'd probably plant the other bag now, expecting them to grow until winter, die back, then come back in the spring. I'm not sure if they will store enough nutrients to overwinter planted this late but never having grown them, I'd guess probably.

I'm agreeing .

I've not planted shallots in the fall, like garlic. It really should work fine. They store well ... probably like garlic also but I've only grown garlic twice in my gardening career.

Shallots are a low-production crop. They are flavorful, however. So, a couple pounds will likely get you through several seasons. Perhaps, if they were a little more available in the stores, I would not feel the need to grow them but I am inclined to use more by weight than garlic or bay leaves or most any other seasoning.

Steve

Can they be eaten raw like a onion ?

They can. I don't know how much you'll enjoy it, but you can.

I personally like raw onions.

My mom always put thin sliced raw onions in her salad