SHALLOTS RED SUN

Planting Red Sun Shallots

• Plant overview: Red Sun is a reliable, high-yielding red shallot variety, valued for its mild, slightly sweet flavour and attractive red skins. It is well suited to kitchen gardens, raised beds, and allotments, producing clusters of firm bulbs that store well.

• When to plant:

  • Plant sets from February to April, once the soil is workable.

  • In mild areas, autumn planting is possible, but spring planting is generally safer for consistent results.

• Site selection:

  • Choose a sunny, open position for best bulb development.

  • Good air circulation helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

• Soil preparation:

  • Shallots prefer light, free-draining, fertile soil.

  • Improve soil with well-rotted garden compost before planting.

  • Avoid fresh manure, which can encourage soft growth and poor bulb formation.

• Planting depth and spacing:

  • Plant each set with the tip just showing above the soil surface.

  • Space sets 20cm apart, with rows 25–30cm apart.

• Container growing:

  • Red Sun shallots can be grown in deep containers or grow bags.

  • Use a good-quality vegetable compost and ensure excellent drainage.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water after planting to help sets establish.

  • Thereafter, water only during prolonged dry spells, as shallots prefer relatively dry conditions once growing.

• Feeding:

  • Shallots are light feeders and generally do not require additional fertiliser if soil is well prepared.

  • If growth is slow, a light application of a balanced fertiliser in spring can help.

• Weed control:

  • Keep the growing area weed-free, especially in the early stages.

  • Take care when hoeing, as shallots have shallow roots.

• Removing flower stalks:

  • If flower stems appear, remove them promptly.

  • This prevents energy being diverted away from bulb development.

• Pests and diseases:

  • Watch for onion fly and leek moth in some areas.

  • Good crop rotation and hygiene reduce the risk of shallot and onion diseases.

• Bolting prevention:

  • Planting at the correct time and avoiding stress from drought or overcrowding helps reduce bolting.

Harvesting, Curing, and Storage

• When to harvest:

  • Red Sun shallots are ready to harvest from July to August, once the foliage turns yellow and begins to collapse.

  • Avoid harvesting too early, as bulbs need time to mature fully.

• Harvesting method:

  • Gently lift clumps with a fork on a dry day.

  • Shake off excess soil and leave bulbs on the surface or on racks to dry.

• Curing:

  • Allow shallots to cure for 2–3 weeks in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place.

  • Proper curing improves flavour and storage life.

• Cleaning:

  • Once fully dry, trim roots and cut back foliage to a few centimetres.

  • Do not wash bulbs before storage.

• Storage conditions:

  • Store in a cool, dry, dark place with good airflow.

  • Net bags or trays are ideal for keeping bulbs well ventilated.

• Storage life:

  • Red Sun shallots store exceptionally well and can last several months under good conditions.

• Culinary use:

  • Ideal for salads, roasting, sauces, and general cooking.

  • Their mild flavour makes them suitable for both raw and cooked dishes.

• Saving sets:

  • Select the best, healthiest bulbs for replanting the following season if desired.

Red Sun shallots are an easy and rewarding crop, providing reliable yields, excellent flavour, and long storage life when grown in sunny, well-drained soil with minimal maintenance

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via DPD Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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