Shallots - seeds vs. starts

Last year I tried growing shallots for the first time, and had so so results. I bought my starts from a regional nursery store and planted them in mid-April. I've not really worked with shallots - gardening or cooked - so I didn't know what to expect. What I got were bulbs, that when broken apart, weren't much bigger then the starts I planted. From what I can tell from the shallots I see in the grocery store they should have been 2 - 3 times bigger then what I ended up with. I'm not sure if it was because I grew starts (which I have no idea what variety they were) or if it was something else I was doing. I'm debating about starting them from seed this year, and don't know if anyone has had any luck with Red Sun, Grey Shallots, or Bonilla. Thanks in advance for your impute!

I suspect that what you got were what you were suppose to get, the point is they multplied right. Shallots come in several types I grow very large ones called ambition but thinking of trying the gray ones this year. Start seed shallots now and set out in the spring works here. Ernie

I have grown grey shallots and they don't get very big. Nowadays I plant the nice big ones from the grocery store. I don't get as large shallots as they do, but I get very acceptable shallots. French shallots ( grey) are supposed to be tastier, my palate isn't that refined. What I do is probably not recommended but it works for me! I have never tried seed.

Pajaritomt, are you saying you buy shallots from the produce department at the grocery store and plant them within a few days of purchasing them, or do you cure them somehow before you plant them?

Ernie, what varieties do you grow or have had luck with?

You might want to try Pikant shallots. They are supposed to be slow to bolt, which should give them more time to grow to optimum size. Red Sun is another variety that shows promise for growing to a good size. Both of these varieties are hard to find right now, but one company that does have both is The Maine Potato Lady (mainepotatolady.com). I just recommended that this company be added to Dave's list. I ordered my Red Suns from The Maine Potato Lady after I found out that my Moose Tubers order couldn't be filled because of a crop failure. I received very nice organic shallots along with excellent customer service. I have now ordered some Pikant shallots (conventional) from The Maine Potato Lady--they should be arriving shortly.

I have tried growing several different types of shallots, and they perform differently even when planted at the same time and in the same growing conditions. I am giving a second chance to one variety that was spring planted last year by planting it again last fall to see if that makes a difference, but that might not be an option for you if your winters are too cold.

You might have to try several different varieties to see what works best for you. Also, do your best to see that you provide excellent growing conditions for the bulbs so that they do not become stressed or undernourished, and that should help to maximize your results. Shallots can mature too early and can be undersized if they become stressed.

Good luck!

KG--I think you are right when you say they should not be stressed or undernourished. I want to add, too, that it is important to give them plenty of room. When you plant that one small bulb it's hard to believe the clump will get as large as it does. The bulbs in the clump need room to expand. I just love shallots and love to grow them. I didn't last year so i need to find some soon.
Sue