Ready for harvest?

Garry · July 8, 2011

First time to try shallots. Iplanted these this spring (March 23). Are they ready to harvest? Need more time? If more time any guesstimate on how long? Thanks in advance for any info, advice or tips.

TZ-OH6 · July 9, 2011

IMO you have a long way to go. When the bulbs swell they will force the tops away from each other. They will spread out and point to the sides. then when the bulbs are done growing the "neck" of the plant will collapse and the tops will flop. Because the leaves are pointing to the sides at this time it is a little more difficult to identify than with other onions, but if you check it out (lift up the leaves) you will see the limp area. Wait until almost all of the leaves of the whole patch have fallen down before digging. If some have put up a flower stalks those won't flop over, but dig them anyway.

simmran1 · July 9, 2011

Garry,

"Harvest shallots when the tops are drying. Pull up the clusters and cure in a warm but shady place with ventilation. Do not leave your shallots in the sun to cure, because they might sunburn and rot. Store your shallots in mesh bags (like onion sacks) in a cool dry area." It does not appear (in the photos) that the 'tops' are drying. A couple of individual leaves maybe, but see what they look like in early August.

July 9, 2011	#3
simmran1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Iowa Zone 5 Posts: 305	Garry, "Harvest shallots when the tops are drying. Pull up the clusters and cure in a warm but shady place with ventilation. Do not leave your shallots in the sun to cure, because they might sunburn and rot. Store your shallots in mesh bags (like onion sacks) in a cool dry area." It does not appear (in the photos) that the 'tops' are drying. A couple of individual leaves maybe, but see what they look like in early August. __________________ Tomatovillain

July 9, 2011	#2
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	IMO you have a long way to go. When the bulbs swell they will force the tops away from each other. They will spread out and point to the sides. then when the bulbs are done growing the "neck" of the plant will collapse and the tops will flop. Because the leaves are pointing to the sides at this time it is a little more difficult to identify than with other onions, but if you check it out (lift up the leaves) you will see the limp area. Wait until almost all of the leaves of the whole patch have fallen down before digging. If some have put up a flower stalks those won't flop over, but dig them anyway.