Shallots from seed

Shallots

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Why grow shallots from seed? The shallot 'Creation'

Growing Shallots from Seed

It seems there are fashions in vegetables just as there are in other aspects of life. As we become more widely travelled and more adventurous in our eating habits "new" vegetables begin to appear in British gardens and allotments. Twenty five years ago few of us would have been growing courgettes and squashes, or peppers - but today they are almost as popular as our mainstream vegetables.

It is curious that the shallot, for so long considered a somewhat lowly cousin of the onion and leek, should have become so highly prized and much sought after for the kitchen.

Could it be because it is an integral part of so much of the cooking of southern Europe and has been praised by cookery writers?

Or is it because more gardeners are discovering its many uses and virtues? Whatever the reason the once humble shallot appears to be achieving gourmet status.

As all vegetable gardeners know shallots are grown from bulbs. Bulbs, which, tradition tells us, should be planted on the shortest day and lifted on the longest day - this was one of the first pieces of gardening lore I received as a youngster.

However, nothing stays the same forever and shallots can now be raised successfully from seed since Unwins introduced the cultivar 'Creation' to British gardeners two years ago. Out goes the idea of planting bulbs in frozen ground on the longest day since seed of 'Creation' should be sown in better weather during March or April. It is the first ever hybrid shallot for single bulb production to be raised from seed and was bred in the Netherlands by de Groot en Slot in conjunction with Bejo.

Why Grow from Seed?

So why should British gardeners consider growing shallots from seed rather than from bulbs as they have done not just for years but for generations?

Perhaps the biggest single advantage offered by growing from seed is that the viral, fungal and bacterial diseases which can affect vegetative material do not affect seeds. A healthier crop is, therefore, assured. Secondly, the problems involved every year in the storage of shallots, such as rotting, sprouting and dehydration, can now be things of the past.

As a result of cross breeding between excellent quality lines 'Creation' has a much improved storage capability of up to twelve months. In addition, the effect of hybrid vigour, or heterosis, a phenomenon commonly found in hybrids between unrelated lines, such as speedy seedling emergence and strong, regular growth, are also found in 'Creation'.

Staying with the quality angle, to produce the best yield of well shaped bulbs it is important to sow seed at one every 1/2 inch (1 per cm). Seed sown too thinly can result in the bulbs becoming coarse and splitting.

In Dutch trials 'Creation' has averaged a dry matter content of 18-20%. It also has a particularly low susceptibility to bolting - making it well suited to early March sowing.

'Creation' is a yellow shallot with white/yellow flesh of excellent flavour. Although it is harvested later than shallots grown from bulbs, usually during August, its skin quality is usually excellent giving it superb storage qualities.

Replanting of the bulbs is not recommended as the resulting crop may not be of similar quality.

The introduction of 'Creation' has been so successful that Unwins are about to launch another cultivar from the same breeding programme. Called 'Atlas' it is the first red shallot to be raised for growing from seed and, as with 'Creation', harvestable bulbs are ready in August from a spring sowing. It has an especially mild flavour and a high resistance to bolting.

This article originally appeared in the Members Bulletin, the journal of the National Vegetable Society, which is sent quarterly to members. You can Join the National Vegetable Society here

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