Shallots ready?

[nerobot]

Could someone please give me some advice as to wheather my shallots are ready to pick. I think they are ready to pick and dry, but first time, so slightly worries about pulling them out too soon.

Cheers,

Steven

[Two_Sheds]

yep, they look ready to me. Have a little pull ~ if they're really loose, pull them out and dry them in the sun for a few days.

[Snadger]

I would think that if the tops are still green, as they appear to be, they haven't completed the ripening process as yet?
Having said that I've lifted mine at this stage because a) I need the space for another crop b) Mine are constantly wet and I'm afraid they'll succumb to fungal problems!

[gojiberry]

Shallots can be harvested whenever you want. A lot of people grow them for salad onions and pull them when they are salad onion size. Other people grow them just for picking and so don't want them to big so pull and ripen when they are the size for pickling (personal preference). On the other hand if you are growing for storing and kitchen use then you want the maximum size. Which is when the tops go brown.

Ian

[Alice]

You can pull them when you like Nerobot and that looks a worthwhile crop to me.

[Cutecumber]

This is the way I do it... if you gently hold the stem at the base - nearest the bulb - you will be able to feel how strong it is... do it regularly and you will notice the changes.

While they are still growing, and the leaves are still feeding the bulb, the stalks, even if they lean over, are still quite firm and turgid. When growth stops and the shallots are just drying out, there is little substance in the stalk. This is the point at which I pull mine. They are half and half - green/ brown at this point, but the leaves have mostly wilted.

I then put them in the greenhouse on a slatted bench where, as long as they remain dry, they seem to store well.

Hope that's of use.

[nerobot]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll pull some and leave the rest (little experiment),

Cutecumber: Sounds like a good idea, might give it a go.

Steven