Shallots, Dutch Red Organic (Allium cepa Aggregatum Group ‘Dutch Red’)

Dutch Red Organic shallots are a gourmet heirloom selection prized for their rich, complex flavor, attractive reddish-copper skins, and excellent storage life. Producing clusters of elongated bulbs from a single planting, they offer the perfect balance between onion and garlic, making them a staple in kitchens around the world. Their reliable productivity, long keeping quality, and ease of cultivation make them an outstanding crop for home gardeners, market growers, and homesteaders.

Key Characteristics

Rich, sweet flavor with gourmet versatility
Dutch Red shallots develop a refined flavor that is milder and sweeter than most onions, with subtle garlic-like notes. They are exceptional for caramelizing, roasting, vinaigrettes, sauces, soups, and fresh preparations where their delicate flavor can shine without overpowering other ingredients.

Productive clusters with excellent storage life
Each planted bulb multiplies into a cluster of several new shallots, providing generous harvests from relatively small planting areas. Once cured, the bulbs store for 6–8 months or longer under cool, dry conditions, making them an excellent crop for year-round kitchen use.

Early-season crop for productive garden rotations
Shallots establish quickly in cool weather and mature earlier than many storage onions. Their growth habit makes them ideal for succession planting and allows beds to be replanted with warm-season vegetables after harvest.

Companion plant for healthy garden ecosystems
Like other alliums, shallots are valued in companion planting systems for their strong aroma, which can help discourage certain insect pests. They integrate well with carrots, beets, lettuce, strawberries, and many herbs, making them a useful addition to diversified vegetable gardens and permaculture designs.

Product Details

• Native range: Cultivated variety
• Plant life cycle: Annual (grown from bulbs)
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium, fertile, well-drained
• Mature height: 12–18 inches
• Bloom time: May – June (if allowed to flower)
• Bloom color: White to pale lavender
• USDA Hardiness zones: 3–9

Plant bulbs in early spring or fall in loose, well-drained soil with the tips just above the soil surface. Harvest when the tops begin to yellow and fall over, then cure bulbs in a warm, airy location before storage. Dutch Red Organic shallots are an excellent addition to kitchen gardens, raised beds, and homestead food production systems where exceptional flavor and long storage are valued.