Any planting suggestions welcome if this is an appropriate time to plant.
Yes, shallots can be planted in the fall for a winter or spring harvest. This article has more information on growing shallots: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/shallot/tips-for-growing-shallots.htm
The following link might be helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/shallot/tips-for-growing-shallots.htm
The bulbs seem to be forming well. Should I change watering or what could be wrong?
Give them time. You should see yellowing of leaves within a couple weeks of their tops falling over.
I was lucky enough to get some shallot sets and wanted to compare them with shallots from seed (quite expensive). While the seeded shallots did well, the bulbs subdivided so much that all the harvested bulbs were far too small. What do I do to correct the conditions for next year's planting of bulbs?
I would venture a guess that the bulbs just be replanted next season to gain the proper size. Not having grown shallots, this is strictly a guess, but many bulbous plants don't attain full size the first year...example, gladiolus, caladium, lily, tulip, daffodil, and dahlia. While these are not eaten, the smallest bulbs are replanted to become larger for the next season.
I want to grow shallots in a raised garden box (4ft. x 12ft.) to sell to a restaurant. I have a good mix in the box and it drains well. Can you give me some advice on growing them? There doesn't seem to be many growers in my zone. Are they hard to grow?
These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/shallot/tips-for-growing-shallots.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/shallot/harvest-a-shallot-plant.htm
Can the tops of shallots be eaten?
While not as strong in flavor, you can eat the tops of shallots, but the best part is normally the bulbous section.
Shallots - if I cut the tops off to use for cooking special vegetables, will doing that cause the shallots to die back and not produce more little shallots? I did that on some but haven't dug any up. Some of the green tops are getting a little brown, but not all of them. Sure did taste good in my squash (yellow) kind. Also, when should I plant them for a spring crop? Do you sell and ship shallots and, if so, please let me know how much per lb.
Sorry, but we do not sell plants. We only provide growing info. This article should help you with growing shallots: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/shallot/tips-for-growing-shallots.htm
Our shallots have all got seed pods at the top and have not yet started to wilt or die off - is this normal? I thought they would be like onions/garlic and just die off - but not the seed pods on top.
Doing some research through the web, I see that seed pods on shallots is not all that common, but that some varieties are much more likely to make seeds than others. Many people snip off the seed heads when they form, to force the plant to devote energy to making bulb instead of seed. Some found that shallots left with seed heads on tended to rot in the ground. Others found that seed heads can be left to go brown, then snapped off and the shallot harvested. It seems the experience depends most often on variety, but is essentially mysterious. If you know what variety of shallot you have, you might seek more information specific to it. Otherwise, here is general information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/shallot/harvest-a-shallot-plant.htm
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