Shallot – Zebrune (Seed)
€1.95
Description
Shallot – Zebrune (Seed) is very productive and has a good resistance to bolting. Produces elongated banana shaped, pink-brown bulbs. It performs best on a well drained light soil in a sunny location. A real gourmet variety.
Sowing:
Late January – April (with heat)
Sow 4 seeds per cell in modular trays and plant out 5 weeks later as a bunch. Do not separate the seedlings.
Spacing:
30cm x 30cm (4 plants per station)
Approx. seed count: 70
Growing Shallot – Zebrune (Seed)
Family:
Alliaceae (commonly known as Alliums)
Shallot – Zebrune (Seed) are very easy and quick to grow.
Soil and site:
Shallots prefer a pH of 6.5 to 7 and grow in any reasonably fertile soil.
Sowing:
I usually sow the seeds into modular trays, Four seeds per cell and about 1.5cm deep. The trays are placed on a heated bench or a warm, south-facing windowsill. About five weeks after sowing each module is planted out together as a bunch (without separating the seedlings). In addition, because they are planted like this they are a lot easier maintained and also harvested.
Plant care:
Occasional watering during dry spells is essential especially in the early stages of growth.
Harvesting:
Shallot – Zebrune (Seed) are ready to harvest around July/August when nearly all leaves have fallen over and turn yellow. Dry the bulbs like onion bulbs.
Please note: Each seed produces one shallot bulb. If you plant a shallot bulb you will get 4 to 6 new shallots.
Potential problems:
Shallot – Zebrune (Seed) may suffer from the same pests and diseases as onions but to a much lesser extent because they mature so much faster.
Downy mildew is the only problem I have encountered with scallions and only if I left the plants too long in the ground in the first place. There is a case for composting (or giving away) any excess scallions when they are over mature.
For more information have a look at my monthly newsletters on:
https://greenvegetableseeds.com/newsletters/
Have a look at the Irish Garden magazine:
