I haven't grown shallots, but years ago, I read a recommendation for growing onions. If you want to grow onions to eat green, use sets. If you want to grow onions for winter storage and use, use seeds. So, where does that leave us for shallots, I wonder. I was curious and did some searching on Google. There are some wonderful sites out there for shallots... Here is a couple of interesting bits that I found on http://www.shallot.com/ (by the way, I thought this was a great site - information, tips, and wonderful looking recipes)

"A unique feature is that seed-grown shallots are used. Compared to the conventional method of growing shallots, where the shallots are propagated from bulbs, this guarantees a virus-free start. "

Since I don't know whether virus's are a big problem with shallots, I don't know how much value that bit is to a home grower.

"An optimal result in natural shallot cultivation depends on the hours of daylight. For example, there are tropical strains that are happy with a short span of daylight. For countries with a slightly longer number of daylight hours there are intermediate varieties. This means that the shallots get more hours of daylight around the time of the summer equinox. The longer day varieties are cultivated from northern and southern latitudes of approximately 45 degrees. This type of shallot can be stored for a longer period." - makes sense, since they are in the onion family.

Here's another good site that I found - http://www.magicvalleygrowers.com/shallots/ They have sections about shallots and many of their 'relatives'.

Sorry I don't have any experiences of my own to contribute, but thank you for bringing up the question. I had a lot of fun reading up about shallots. I'll be watching to see what others have to say about their own personal experience and may very well add shallots to my list of items to grow in 2007!

Here is a link that might be useful: Shallot site - great recipes and information

Hey there Leaves-
I have always planted the "runts" in the "bag-O-shallots" I have purchased in the grocery store- and then the smaller (is it) cloves that have come from the larger ones planted- So I guess for me- it would be sets.
They are so good and easy that way!

Shallots seed and bulbs also from Territorial Seed Company.

Re:onions
Yes, for green onions - use sets.
For storage onions, use seed or growing plants. We always bought the bare root bunchs of 100 plants.