Davidor Shallot is a classic variety that produces multiplying bulbs over a 95-day season, thriving across hardiness zones 3 through 10. This frost-hardy cultivar demands full sun and consistent moisture to develop the layered, paper-thin-skinned bulbs that define premium shallots. Plant it in early spring or fall, space bulbs 6 to 8 inches apart, and you'll harvest roughly four to five times the amount you planted, making it exceptionally productive for home gardeners.
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Davidor delivers reliable multiplying bulbs with impressive yield potential, producing approximately four to five times the planting weight at harvest. The variety's frost-hardiness allows it to thrive in cold climates as far north as zone 3, while its 95-day timeline fits neatly into most growing calendars. Direct-planted bulbs or seedlings both work well, giving gardeners flexibility in how they start their crop.
Shallots are a fundamental ingredient in the kitchen, prized for their layered flavor that sits between onion and garlic. Davidor bulbs are harvested and cured for storage, then sliced, diced, or roasted into soups, vinaigrettes, sauces, and braises where their mild, nuanced taste won't overpower delicate dishes. They're also excellent pickled whole or sliced thin for garnishes.
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Sow shallot seeds indoors in pots, sowing up to 10 to 12 seeds per 4 to 6-inch pot. Keep soil temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. When seedling tops exceed 5 inches, they are ready for transplanting outdoors.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart in rows 12 inches wide. Plant in early spring or fall depending on your zone.
Plant bulbs root-end down and cover with 1/2 inch of soil. Mulch with clean straw or leaves to a depth of 4 inches. Alternatively, direct sow seeds outdoors and thin seedlings to the strongest plant when they reach 4 to 5 inches tall.
Davidor shallots are ready to harvest approximately 95 days after planting when foliage turns yellow and leaves fall over naturally. Withhold water as bulbs near maturity to encourage the formation of protective papery skin. Once leaves have completely yellowed and toppled, gently lift bulbs from the soil and cure them in a warm (75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit), shaded, well-ventilated location until the outer skin and necks are completely dry before storage.
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