Growing shallots at home is a fun activity that offers many benefits. Not only that you can save on kitchen expenses, but it also can be a fun family time idea with your family and little ones.
No need for a large area, you can utilize pots or even use AQUA bottles to grow shallots. Let’s see a complete guide on how to grow shallots for beginners in various planting media, such as pots, plastic polybags, and AQUA bottles, below!
How to Grow Shallots in Pots
Growing shallots in pots is a smart solution if you have limited space. Shallots are also very beginner-friendly, as they are easy to grow and do not require much maintenance.
But, before you start your gardening activity, make sure to have a bottle of AQUA 1500 ml on hand to stay hydrated while gardening. Keeping your body well-hydrated is essential, especially during outdoor activities.
AQUA offers a refreshing, cool sensation even without refrigeration, proof that it comes from protected natural springs with preserved mineral content.
It is processed without any additives and sourced from 100% carefully selected springs, so you can enjoy its natural health benefits with confidence.
With your AQUA ready, it’s time to get planting! Here's how to grow shallots in pots easily and practically.
1. Provide Large Shallot Sets
First, choose large shallots for the seeds. Make sure the surface of the skin is still firm, not mushy, or even rotten. The better the seeds, the easier it will be for these shallots to grow into healthy plants.
2. Prepare Soil and Compost
Next, use a mixture of soil, compost, and husks as the planting medium. The ratio of 2:1:1 is generally good enough to support shallot growth. Mix the mixture well before putting it into the pot.
3. Plant in a Pot
Make a small hole 3–5 cm deep in the soil and place the shallots face up. It is best to choose a medium-sized pot so you can plant several shallots.
4. Water Regularly
Water the shallots every morning and evening, especially in the early weeks. However, do not water it too much because soil that is too wet can cause onions to rot. Also, make sure the pot has drainage holes so that excess water can escape.
5. Harvest Shallots After 3 Months
Generally, onions will be ready to harvest in 3 months. You can see it from the wilting leaves. Dig the soil carefully to harvest them.
6. Keep it in a Dark Place
Keep the dried shallots in a cool, dark place to prevent the growth of new shoots. Use perforated containers or mesh bags to maintain air circulation so that the onions can last for several months.
How to Grow Shallots in Polybags
Using polybags is another practical way to grow shallots at home. This method is especially popular among small-scale gardening enthusiasts. Here is a simple guide to help you get started:
1. Choose the Right Size Polybag Plastic
You can choose medium polybags measuring 20–30 cm. This size is ideal enough to plant 3–4 shallot cloves in one polybag. Also, make sure the polybag material is strong enough and not easily torn.
2. Ensure Proper Drainage
Poor drainage can cause the soil to become too damp, leading to rotting of the shallot bulbs. To avoid this, make sure the polybags have sufficient drainage holes to allow excess water to flow out easily.
3. Plant the Shallots in the Polybag
Fill the polybag with well-mixed planting media. Plant the shallot cloves with the tips slightly exposed, then water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. With proper care, the shallots will be ready for harvest in about 3 months.
4. Harvest the Shallots
After around 3 months, the shallots are ready to be harvested. Gently pull them out of the soil and let them dry in a shaded area before storing. This helps preserve their freshness and flavor.
How to Grow Shallots in AQUA Bottles
Utilizing AQUA bottles for farming is one of the most interesting urban farming ideas. You can also create your own planting pots with zero cost and no need to buy polybags. Check out how to grow shallots in AQUA bottles below:
1. Prepare All Tools and Materials
You will need a 1500 ml AQUA bottle as a planting pot. Don’t forget to prepare shallots that have started to sprout. Here are the complete tools and materials.
- Knife.
- 1500 ml AQUA bottle.
- Sil, husk, and compost in the ratio of 1:1:1.
- Shallots that have sprouted.
- Water.
2. Cut the AQUA Bottle to Resemble a Polybag
Use a knife to cut the top of the AQUA bottle. Make a wide opening so that it can be easily filled with planting media. After that, perforate the bottom of the bottle so that water can flow out. This modified bottle will function like a mini polybag.
3. Add Enough Planting Media
Fill the cut AQUA bottle with planting media up to ¾ of it. Compact it slightly so that the media does not easily dissolve out of the drainage holes when watered. Keep the surface loose to facilitate onion root growth.
4. Planting Red Onions
Make a small hole and plant the onion with the bud facing up. Don’t forget to water them regularly. In a few weeks, you will start to see green leaves growing from the bottles.
So, that is how to grow shallots at home for beginners. You can use ordinary polybag pots or used AQUA bottles. Now you know that the steps are not as difficult as imagined, right?
In general, the key to growing good shallots is in choosing the right seeds, fertile planting media, and routine maintenance. The result? You can harvest fresh shallots for your daily kitchen needs.
Don’t forget, during the gardening process, make sure to keep your body hydrated to keep your enthusiasm for taking care of the plants. For that, you can bring AQUA 1500 ml when gardening. That way, your body will feel fresher while carrying out various gardening activities.
So, always make sure you have prepared #AQUADULU before gardening because not all water is AQUA. This is because AQUA comes from selected mountain springs that are protected through 9 selection criteria, 5 stages of purification, and at least 1 year of research on more than 600 parameters.
In addition, AQUA has been Halal certified and passed BPOM and SNI standardization, so it is safe for consumption. AQUA is 100% Pure, 100% Indonesian, and 100% Halal.
