SHALLOT—Sow in February, transplant in early spring
into fertile soil. Spacing of transplants influences mature
size. Harvest in late summer or pull early from the summer garden for kitchen use.
Planting Recommendations: For transplants, sow
seed in sterile potting soil and then transplant when
plants are 2-3” tall. Direct sow when the ground can be
worked and daytime temperatures are above 50 degrees.
Grow bulbs close together with rows 10-15” apart. Germination takes 5-14 days with temperatures of 45-70 degrees. Shallots perform best in soils of high fertility particularly nitrogen and phosphorous. Organic gardeners
will want to use chicken manure or any kind of seed meal
at a rate of about ½ to 1 gallon per 50 foot row added to
soil at planting. Water uniformly, shallots are shallow
rooted so they benefit from regular irrigation. Reduce
water when bulbs are close to 2” harvest size. Shallots
store best at temperatures of 32-35 ° and low relative humidity. If they are dried they will store at 50 °. Dry out of
the direct sun and handle freshly dug bulbs with care as
they can bruise from rough handling before they are
cured.
POTATOES WITH ROSEMARY
2 pounds potatoes, young non-russets are best
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
Salt & pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel and slice potatoes. Place
potatoes, rosemary, and garlic in an oiled roasting pan.
Sprinkle olive oil over and add salt and pepper. Bake, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp and golden brown
-- about 30 minutes. Check seasonings and add an extra
sprinkle of rosemary if needed.
TRUE POTATO SEED - Recently, two talented young
Dutch plant breeders developed horticultural potato seed
in the US. There are several advantages to using true seed:
lower cost than mini-tubers, completely disease free and
always available at the right time for growers in any region of the country. These three varieties yield about 2
pounds or more when well grown. They mature 100 days
from transplant or 50 days for baby potatoes. We don't
sell potato seed outside the US, however international and
commercial growers may contact us for a referral.
Planting Recommendations: Sow seeds in a sterile
potting soil with 20-50% medium coarse vermiculite.
Plant seeds 2” apart in trays or 1 or 2 seeds per cell. Seedlings emerge in temperatures between 45º and 80º, optimum temp is 65º at night and 75º day. Cool temperatures
increase germination time and high temperatures may
cause dying from damp off. Water frequently to keep soil
moist until seedlings emerge. Seedlings tend to stay prostrate immediately after emergence if more than 13 hours
of light are provided. Keeps seedlings in light for no more
than 12 hours a day to encourage strong stems. Once
seedlings appear use a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients as a foliar spray every other day following instructions on the label. Cease fertilizing one week prior to
transplant to reduce growth rate, thus reducing losses due
to transplant shock. Transplant when roots hold at least
60% of the soil media and when the fifth set of true leaves
develops. Soil that dries too much between watering or
overgrown plugs stress the plants causing stolon initiation. Irrigate planting area a few days before transplanting so you plant into wet soil. Space plants 12” to 24”
apart.