They look like garlic but taste a bit like onions.
The desert isn't always scorching hot. In the spring and fall, it is pleasant with temperatures in the 70 to 80 degree Fahrenheit range. Overall, the desert's climate is extreme: extremely hot or extremely cold. The key to successfully growing shallots in the desert is in planting at the right time. Inn Arizona, the right time is generally in July from the first to the 15th. Mojave Desert gardeners should get their shallot cloves into the ground between Aug. 10 and Oct. 10. Generally, the farther south you live, the later you should plant. Plan on 80 to 110 days from planting to harvest. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig up the shallot bed to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. If you have caliche, you may need a mattock, digging bar or other equipment to dig through it. Caliche is slow to drain, so you may have to use raised beds for the shallots or create drainage tunnels through the caliche. Your county cooperative extension agent can advise you on your best course of action.
2. Add 3 inches of shredded bark, 3 inches of compost and 3 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer for each 100 square feet of shallot bed. The bark aids drainage, the compost helps the soil retain moisture and the fertilizer adds nutrients that are lacking in desert soil. Blend the amendments into the top 10 inches of soil.
3. Separate the shallot into individual cloves. Do not damage them when spreading the cloves.
4. Plant the cloves 4 inches apart and 1 inch deep in rows spaced 4 inches apart.
5. Water the shallot bed until the top 6 inches of soil is wet. Keep it moist during the growing season. If watering restrictions are in place in your county, water deeper on the days you are allowed to water.
6. Top dress the soil around the shallots when they reach 6 inches in height. Mulch significantly reduces soil moisture evaporation, a battle all desert gardeners fight. Put 3 inches of mulch on the soil and spread it around all the shallots, keeping it at least 2 inches away from the plants' bases.
7. Side dress the shallots with a 10-10-10 fertilizer six weeks after putting the cloves in the ground. Side dressing is a good method of delivering fertilizer to desert plants, as it reduces the incidence of root burn. Dig a 2 inch deep trench along the side of each shallot row. Place the trench 2 inches away from the row. Scatter the fertilizer along the trench's length, fill it with soil and water to a depth of 8 inches. Use 2 pounds of fertilizer for each 100 square feet of bed.
8. Harvest the shallot when the foliage yellows and wilts. Dry the bulbs for one week before using.
Tags: 10-10-10 fertilizer, around shallots, away from, depth inches, each square, each square feet
