Camelot

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Silky, coppery-sun shallots of ‘Camelot’ bring a gentle sweetness and a savory depth that lingers on the palate—ideal when you want flavor that’s refined rather than sharp.

The bulbs form in tidy clusters with a smooth, papery golden-brown skin and crisp, fine-textured flesh, making them a standout for everyday sauces and slow-simmered favorites. Grow ‘Camelot’ for reliable, uniform maturity in about 90 days, and enjoy the satisfying harvest of elegant, kitchen-ready shallots.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bulbing

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Camelot shallots give you refined sweetness with a silky, fine texture—so they disappear into sauces instead of staying sharp or fibrous. Use them for reductions and slow simmers where that lingering savory finish can cloak richer fats and acids like butter and wine.

Best Uses

buttery shallot reduction for pan sauces
slow-simmered base for soups and ragù
finely chopped raw or lightly pickled topping for cheese and charcuterie boards
quick sauté where they melt into the dish without turning harsh

Flavor Profile

gentle sweetness savory allium depth silky, fine-textured bite lingering savory finish

Kitchen Pairings

dry white wine Dijon mustard butter fresh tarragon creamy goat cheese champagne vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Allium cepa var. aggregatum (Camelot scallions/onion bunching) and how do I treat it?

Watch for onion thrips, which cause silvery streaks and distorted, silvery leaves; use yellow sticky traps and remove heavily damaged foliage early. If you see leaf-spotting or mild downy mildew-like patches, improve airflow and avoid overhead watering; apply a labeled fungicide that targets downy mildew on onions if conditions stay humid.

How often should I water Camelot during the main growing phase to keep bulbs/bunches forming well?

During active leaf growth (roughly weeks 3–8), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot. When plants start bulbing (around week 8 onward), reduce to maintain evenly moist soil, since overly wet conditions can trigger rot and weak, watery bulbs.

How can I tell when Camelot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is ready to harvest at ~90 days?

Harvest when plants have firm, well-developed white-to-pale bases and hollow green tops have grown to your desired size, usually around day 90. If you gently lift a plant, the base should feel solid (not mushy), and the outer skin should be tight; if bases are still loose and soft, leave them a bit longer.