Q: Dwindling Yield in Shallot Productions
PVFS Customer Email with Staff Response
Question:
Question for you: I’ve grown garlics for many years for the Seed Savers Exchange and agree entirely with the tips given in this In the Loop release! I also have grown bunching onion, topset onion, and shallot varieties for the SSE for years, and this past year took on close to 100 additional allium and garlic varieties:
Should I provide any different care for shallots than I provide for garlics? I have experienced dwindling vigor and yields, even loss, of a few shallot varieties over the past 20-30 years, and while I will try hard to get these newly-acquired varieties out and in the hands of other growers as quickly as possible, I really need to find out what is causing them (and topsetting onions) to decline and fail over time in my garden, while garlics and bunching onions thrive. [I took on Louis VanDeven's collection last summer, close to 100 alliums and garlics, when at 89 he feared he would not be able to continue to maintain them. He passed away this summer, knowing that only two varieties had not survived the move, and all the others had produced a healthy abundant yield in their new home....]
Answer:
The first thought that comes to mind is, Are you using a three-year crop rotation and not planting the shallots (any alliums) in the same place every year? The second thought is if you have had a soil test done to see what nutrients are missing form the soil? Also, I would check with your county agricultural office as they may have been asked this information from other farmers in your area. Other farmers would be another source.
It sounds like you have something pretty special and I hope you find the information you need!
Tags: allium, crop rotation, Garlic, shallots
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:22 am
I also wonder about the crop rotation. I think 3 year minimum, but 5 would be good at this point if you haven’t ever rotated the crop. Garlic, shallots, leeks, etc. – they’re all in the same family and can get weird fungal, bacterial and soil-borne diseases.
if you do rotate, then make sure the nutrient needs are adequate. #1 is organic matter – you should be well about 3% (in my opinion) because this family loves organic matter. If you’re not there, cover crop, add compost and manure, mulch with straw.
Good luck and let me know,
Andrew