Seed Shallots

Grow some organic shallots for your gourmet meals

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Seed Shallots - Grow Organic

Organic Shallot Seeds

Certified organic seed shallots are a valuable addition to any fall garden, offering a unique culinary experience and a touch of elegance to your dishes. Among the various shallot varieties available, French Red Shallots stand out as an indispensable staple in French cuisine, renowned for their exceptional flavor profile. In this article, we will delve into the world of seed shallots, with a particular focus on French Red Shallots.

French Red Shallots: A Culinary Treasure

French Red Shallots, also known as "Échalion" or "Banana" shallots, are celebrated for their mild and sweet flavor. Unlike the pungency of garlic or the sharpness of some yellow onions, these shallots bring a delicate and nuanced taste to your culinary creations. Whether you choose to enjoy them fresh in salads or sauces or caramelize them to enhance their sweetness, French Red Shallots are versatile ingredients that elevate your dishes.

Planting and Cultivating Seed Shallots

Growing seed shallots, especially French Red Shallots, is a rewarding endeavor. These shallots typically start from a single bulb, eventually developing into a large clump or cluster of bulbs. The planting process involves setting individual shallot bulbs in your garden or raised beds, spaced adequately to allow room for growth. It's advisable to plant them in the fall for a spring harvest or in early spring for a late summer harvest, depending on your location and climate.

Harvesting Seed Shallots

The time to harvest your seed shallots, including French Red Shallots, comes when the tops of the plants have naturally fallen over. This indicates that the bulbs have reached maturity. Gently dig up the clusters of shallots, taking care not to damage them in the process. Shake off excess soil, leaving the bulbs intact, and allow them to air dry quickly.

Curing for Optimal Storage

To ensure the long-term storage of your harvested shallots, curing is a crucial step. Curing involves laying out the freshly harvested shallots in a well-ventilated area, preferably out of direct sunlight. This allows the outer layers of the bulbs to dry and harden, forming a protective skin that helps extend their shelf life. Curing typically takes a few weeks, during which time the tops and roots of the shallots will naturally wither and become brittle.

Storing Your Seed Shallots

Once the curing process is complete, it's time to prepare your seed shallots for storage. Trim the tops and roots of the bulbs, leaving just a short stub of each. This helps prevent any potential moisture loss during storage while minimizing the risk of rot. Store your cured shallots in a cool, dry location, preferably in mesh bags or crates that allow for good air circulation. Properly stored seed shallots can last for several months, providing you with a steady supply of these delectable ingredients for your culinary endeavors.

Certified organic seed shallots, particularly the esteemed French Red Shallots, offer a delightful addition to your garden and kitchen. Their mild, sweet flavor and culinary versatility make them a prized ingredient in various dishes. By following proper planting, harvesting, curing, and storage techniques, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of these exceptional shallots and elevate your culinary creations with their unique flavor. So, why not embark on a journey to cultivate these culinary treasures in your garden and savor the exquisite taste of French Red Shallots?

For more information, see our Garlic and Shallot Resource Center. Our staff has selected dozens of articles, videos, recipes, and tips with everything you need to grow garlic bulbs and delicious shallots successfully. Including our popular video Selecting and Planting Garlic.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.