Roderique

Shallot

Zone 6a Save Garden

🌱 110d to harvest Bulbing

Roderique shallots bring a vivid, pungent perfume that blooms as soon as they’re opened—sharp yet elegantly sweet at the finish. …

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	May 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 24th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 10th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Recommended Companions

Salinas Lettuce

Resistafly Carrot

Summertime Lettuce

Royal Chantenay Carrot

Grand Rapids TBR Lettuce

Flashy Butter Gem Lettuce

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium cepa var. aggregatum (French Grey/Roderique) and how can I prevent it?

Onions (Allium cepa) are commonly hit by onion downy mildew and fungal leaf blights, which show up as pale or yellowing tips and fuzzy gray/black growth on wet leaves. Start with healthy sets/seed, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and avoid crowding so leaves dry fast after rain. If you see widespread early infection, remove affected leaves immediately and switch to a preventive copper-based spray labeled for onions, following label rates and reapplication intervals.

How often should I water Roderique during the main bulbing growth phase?

During bulbing (mid-season), keep the soil consistently lightly moist—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings depending on heat and soil drainage. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to reduce downy mildew pressure, but don’t let the bulbs get repeatedly stressed. Stop regular watering when the tops begin to fall over and green growth slows, so bulbs cure instead of staying watery.

How do I tell when Roderique is ready to harvest?

Harvest after about 110 days when most tops have yellowed and flopped over, and the outer skins are papery and well formed. Lift a bulb and check: the neck should be tight (not soft), and the outer layer should peel cleanly without tearing. Harvest on a dry day, cure the bulbs with tops attached in a warm, airy spot for 1–2 weeks before storing.

Roderique shallots bring a vivid, pungent perfume that blooms as soon as they’re opened—sharp yet elegantly sweet at the finish. The bulbs form neat, elongated clusters with a smooth, burnished skin and a firm, fine-grained texture that holds its character beautifully for roasting and sautéing, as well as for bold sauces and quick pickling. Grow Roderique for a dependable 110-day season and a harvest that feels tailor-made for pantry staples and garden-to-jar flavor.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 45°F and nights stay above 35°F before moving outdoors.

Expert Note

For mild, crispy shallots, plant sets shallow-to-normal depth, keep the soil evenly moist early, and stop watering once tops begin to yellow to firm the bulbs.