Planting and care for shallots in open field

For many people, shallots are not much different from the bulb. But in fact, it is an independent species of the onion family, which is very popular in Western Europe. In Russia, you can find such names of this species as "frost" or "bitch".

What are shallots?

Shallot onion is a biennial plant, the mention of which is known from the 3rd century BC. The main vegetative organ of this plant is the bulb with many daughter buds( buds).They sprout at the same time, forming at the same time a kind of nest, consisting of several small heads. On one plant may be present from several pieces to several dozen heads. For such a feature, shallots are also called family.

Shallot onions close-up

In order to obtain planting material, it is not necessary to grow seeds from seeds. For this purpose, you can use any head. It is noteworthy that one onion

How are shallots different from onions?

Onions and shallots have many similarities, which are why they are mistakenly considered one kind. These criteria include the fleshy head, weighing 15-40 grams, long green feathers, suitable for food and a two-year growing season. But in fact, these plants have several differences explaining their assignment to different species:

1. Shallot can tolerate lower temperatures and matures much faster than its relative;
2. The shallot grows in nests and the turnip is single;
3. The shallot pulp is more tender and pleasant, and the flavor is not so sharp;
4. The onions are fastidious to the conditions during storage, while the shallot has excellent keeping quality even at room temperature;
5. The section consists of several zones with buds, and a turnip of concentric rings.

Shallot onion bulbs after collecting

At first glance, it seems that these two species are very similar, but the name of the proper skill can be easily distinguished.

Popular varieties

1. Ayrat is a mid-season variety whose yield is 1.5 kilograms per square meter. The fruit is round with a yellow husk on average weighs 15-20 grams. Up to 5 bulbs can form in one nest. The taste of the harvest obtained is gentle, but at the same time acute;
2. Pomegranate is a mid-season variety with a semi-sharp taste, it is grown to produce both greens and bulbs. The shape of the fruit is rounded-flat, the average weight of one piece is 30 grams. The husk is painted in an unusual brown color with a grayish tint. From one square meter collect from 1.5 to 2.4 kilograms of the crop;
3. Fortress - the variety got its name for its high resistance to gray rot and skirmish. The fruits ripen in average terms, the growing season lasts 55-70 days. The bulbs covered with pink scales can weigh up to 50 grams, in one nest there are 5-7 bulbs. Up to 2.1 kilograms of fruits are harvested from one square meter;
4. Siberian Amber - fruits ripen in 56-60 days, 6-7 bulbs with bronze husks are in one nest. Their weight can reach 30 grams. The taste of the fruit is semi-sharp. With one square meter you can collect up to 2 kilograms of onions.

Ayrat Garnet Fort Siberian Amber

Terms of planting in the open ground

Planting dates are directly dependent on the goal of growing the plant:

1. If you plant onions for early feather harvest, it is recommended to plant them in open ground in late autumn or in greenhouses in early spring;
2. For full heads, such work is performed in mid-April. Most accurately determine the date of planting using the soil temperature, it should be equal to 8-10 degrees.

Planting rules

When choosing a place for planting shallots, you should pay attention to all the individual characteristics of the plant:

• there should be a lot of sunlight in the area, the presence of shade can contribute to the deterioration of fruiting;
• soil should be light and loose .The use of loamy or sandy soil is welcomed;
• takes shallot in the best way where it grew potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers or peas;
• the land should be slightly acidic, otherwise the bulbs become smaller, and the tops quickly turn yellow.

Ripened shallot on the garden plot

Before planting onions, it is necessary to prepare the soil. To this end, they dig it up in the fall, while adding the following fertilizers:

• a bucket of compost or rotted manure;
• 30 grams of superphosphate;
• 15-20 grams of potash fertilizers.

Seed material also needs to be prepared. A few days before planting, it is necessary to trim the neck of the seed drill and soak it in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

. When placing trees on a bed, you should follow a reliable scheme:

• the distance between rows should be 30-40 centimeters;
• distance between plants in the same row should be equal to 20-30 centimeters;
• in the event that onions are grown for seeding, the distance between the plants is reduced to 8-10 centimeters.

Immediately before planting the furrow, you need to pour plenty of water. Sevok deepened by 2-3 centimeters.

Shallots growing on the bed

Rules of care

In order to get a rich harvest of shallot, you need to properly care for the plant and follow all the rules:

1. This crop does not need frequent watering. In temperate latitudes, the soil can be not moistened at all, and in the southern regions it can be irrigated in months without precipitation;
2. Onions need timely weeding and loosening the soil;
3. In early spring, plantings are fertilized with nitrogenous fertilizers, for example, urea;
4. At the beginning of the growing season, poor soil is fertilized with complex mineral supplements.

Planting onions on a head

Harvesting and Storage of Harvest

Harvesting occurs at the end of July. Many gardeners argue that such work should be done before August 2.The readiness of the plant can be determined by the drooping leaves, which show signs of yellowing.

Shallots can be stored in virtually any environment. It can be stored in a dry place at room temperature. As a container, it is better to choose boxes with holes or meshes.

Before removing the fruits for storage, they must be dried in the open air for 20-30 days, after which they are disassembled into bulbs and the dried leaves are removed.

Freshly harvested shallots

Diseases and pests

Shallot onions are susceptible to the occurrence of fungal diseases, which include false and ordinary powdery mildew, peronosporoz, cervical rot, etc. The affected plants will begin to wither and it is almost impossible to save them. The only solution will be complete removal. The healthy part of landings is treated with Quadrice, Mikosan or Pentophag solutions.

For the prevention of fungal diseases before planting sevok soaked for 30 minutes in the drug "Maxim".

Pests often settle on shallots. Most often, the following insects are found:

1. Onion fly - the plant and the soil around it is treated with wood ash;
2. Worms - the above-ground part of the plant is watered with a solution of salt( dilute 1 cup of salt in 10 liters of water);
3. Onion Nematode - this pest can distort the bottom of the maternal bulb. Affected plants must be removed immediately;
4. Aphids - these insects settle on onion feathers. To cope with them, you can use a decoction of pepper, potato skins or chamomile. Their chemical preparations are best helped by Verticillin.

Shallots are a more delicate and sweet counterpart of onions. To grow such a crop can even beginner gardener. This is due to the fact that the plant is able to adapt to adverse weather conditions and does not require careful maintenance.