Sante

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Silky, mild shallot flavor arrives with a gentle sweetness and a clean, green-edged aroma—never harsh, always inviting.

Sante forms tidy, well-filled bulbs with a tender, fine texture that stays pleasantly crisp when used fresh, and turns beautifully mellow when roasted or folded into sauces. A cool-season favorite for gardeners who want reliable harvests at about 90 days and a distinctive, garden-fresh allium character in every dish.

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	Mar 28th
Harvest Begins	Jun 26th
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)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sante gives you that unmistakable shallot fragrance without the bite—great when you want allium character that stays elegant. Use it raw for a crisp, silky crunch, or roast to turn it sweet and spreadable for sauces and pan reductions.

Best Uses

thin rings or fine dice in vinaigrettes and yogurt sauces where it stays crisp
roast whole or in halves until jammy and caramel-mellow
fold into pan sauces to perfume butter and stock without going sharp
quick pickle for a bright, crisp allium snap

Flavor Profile

gentle sweetness mild shallot pungency silky, fine texture clean green-edged aroma

Kitchen Pairings

butter champagne vinegar thyme tarragon mushrooms chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What disease or pest commonly affects Allium oschaninii (French Grey shallot), and how can I manage it?

Shallots (Allium oschaninii) are prone to onion thrips and fungal issues like downy mildew, especially when foliage stays wet. Check leaves weekly and remove heavily speckled foliage early; keep plants spaced for airflow and water at the soil line, not over the leaves. If damage is significant, use an approved insecticidal soap for thrips and a labeled fungicide for downy mildew, following the product directions and avoiding application right before rain.

How often should I water Allium oschaninii during the main growing phase?

During active bulb bulking (roughly mid-season), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split as needed for hot spells. Let the top 1–2 inches dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot, then water deeply so moisture reaches the rooting zone. Once the tops start to yellow and fall, reduce watering to help the bulbs cure.

How do I know when to harvest Allium oschaninii?

Harvest at about 90 days when most leaves have turned yellow and flopped over, and the necks between leaf and bulb feel dry rather than succulent. Lift bulbs on a dry day, gently dry off soil, and cure in a warm, airy place for about 2 weeks before storing. If you harvest too early, the bulbs will store poorly; if you wait until the stems fully rot, bulbs can split or develop soft spots.