Kitchen Garden Forum

Hello Everyone

I planted 2 types of shallots, Jermor last November and Redsun in March.

The Jermor are doing very well but the Redsun are starting to flowers.

Should I cut the buds, dig them up?

I wanted to pickle the Redsun, are they still ok for this?

Thank you for your help.

amo

Dear Amo, if it is only a few going to seed, i think i would just nip the flower buds out.
You won't be able to pickle the individual shallots that have gone to seed, but you will be able to tell which ones these are at harvest time, as they will be longer but thinner.

Hi

Thank you Old Herbaceous.

But could you please tell me why I can't pickle them.

Thank you

amo

Dear Amo, it's just the individual shallot that you can't use, not the whole cluster of them.
The reason being, when they have dried they have a solid stalk down the middle of them.
You will see what i mean when they are harvested and dried.

You could always pickle the ones that have gone to seed, and save them for when you have un-welcome guests.

I see they would be a bit crunchy!!! then.
it's still leave me a lot to pickle, my little boy will be glad, he love them!


Thank you

amo

I was told the other day to pick out the centre bulb and just leave the crown to plump up. Do you agree with this OH and if so when??

Thanks

David

Dear David, i can't say i have ever heard of that
with shallots before, maybe someone else could put some light onto the subject.

Hi

I was told to take centre bulb out as this would give the remining bulbs more space to grow in, mind you that was for showing them at our local show.

Hope this is of some help

Kind Regards

Kevin

Hiya,

This is my first year growing shallots but if it were me and there are only a few going to seed I would dig them up and see what is there and use it up.

If you have some whole shallot thingys (bulbs?) I see no reason why you can't pickle them now. Have a go, anyway.