SHALLOTS: 26 March 2003
MP e-mails to say that she has just discovered the moon-gardening website and has realised that, probably, she has not planted her shallots at the ideal time. "Am I correct in thinking that the best time is when the table is fully risen," she asks, "i.e., the commencement of the third quarter?"
"Not correct," says head gardener R J Harris.
"The shallot is an above-ground and below-ground developer [see the links at the foot of the page. Ed].
"A look at any mature shallot plant shows that this is so.
"As such, its sets can be planted at the start of the moon's first or second quarter.
"I prefer the first.
"That is when the water table is commencing its upward rise from a zero start -- influenced by the moon's steadily increasing gravitational pull upon Earth -- and is increasing the pressure upon the top soil. This causes a concentration of the top-soil's moisture content and, hence, a greater availability of moisture to the things living in it. Those 'things' include the plant life. The rising water table also adds to the top soil's moisture content, of course."
The same applies to the seeds of the shallot. These, too, are best sown at the start of the moon's first quarter in the correct month, although the second quarter can be used instead.
"Naturally," adds Mr Harris, "this sowing/planting method gives the very best return when allied to bed preparation, soil feeding and plant management according to the age-old way. To get an idea about this, look at the section ONION in the manual [see the link at the foot of the page. Ed], for the two bulbs have much in common. The same bed is used for both -- BED/3 -- and both go into the ground, as bulblets, during the first year of BED/3's four-year life span. Also, the feeding system is the same. Again, the manual explains this."
p To the shallot and the onion add the turnip, the radish and the garlic as first- or second-quarter plants, notes the head gardener. These three also sit half in, half out of the ground when they reach maturity. His preference is unchanged: "For all of them, I choose the first quarter as the best sowing or planting time. That way they get the extra week or so of increasing moisture in the top soil as the water table starts from its lowest level and mounts to its highest at full-moon time -- or the end of the second quarter."
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