So, in a very carefully controlled scientific experiment (not really), we planted some in the fall and some in the spring. Now the shallots have been harvested, and the results are conclusive.
Well then.Yup. Fall planting from now on.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Lesson Learned
Last year when I was sorting out the shallots to save for planting in the spring, A. said we should try planting some in the fall. He had read about fall planting somewhere, and thought we might get better results that way, rather than waiting until spring. We plant garlic in the fall, so why not shallots?
So, in a very carefully controlled scientific experiment (not really), we planted some in the fall and some in the spring. Now the shallots have been harvested, and the results are conclusive.
Well then.
So, in a very carefully controlled scientific experiment (not really), we planted some in the fall and some in the spring. Now the shallots have been harvested, and the results are conclusive.
Well then.
Interesting. I'm assuming the big ones are from the fall planting? We planted garlic and shallots this Spring and I have a stupid question for you. How do you know when it is ready to harvest?
ReplyDeleteYup, the big ones are the fall ones.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a stupid question, actually. When the green part on top dies down, meaning it flops over and gets brown at the tips, the plant is done growing and can be pulled up. Then both garlic and shallots (onions, too) need to be cured for awhile to dry them out before storage. Just lay them out on a table in a covered place with the tops still attached for a week or so (depending on how dry your weather is), then cut the tops off, separate out whatever you're saving for seed, and store the rest in mesh bags.
Were both of those shallots done growing then or could the smaller one have been left to grow and gotten bigger? Beth
ReplyDeleteword verification pentort
a written quick witty reply
They were all done. I wouldn't dig them up if they weren't done growing.
ReplyDeleteI planted fall ones as well, I'm getting ready to dig them up soon. Acutally mine were potato onions, very similar.
ReplyDeleteGlad you did the experiment and glad it worked out. That's how we learn and now I know something new , too. Thanks. Beth
ReplyDeleteGiant shallot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this research for the gardening community.
I was wondering ..do you think you could also plant onions in the fall for bigger onions? Maybe I will try that this fall....if I can find sets or plants for that matter. Beth
ReplyDeleteI hate to be the one perv here, but that's an interesting photographic perspective on shallots.
ReplyDeleteThey look so...virile?
Ah, fall planting. I'm so busy in September planting the seeds of learning that I never seem to get anything done in the garden. If I did, I'd take your advice and plant shallots and garlic in the fall!
ReplyDeleteAnd leeks! How about leeks?