Shallots in SoCal

[SheriDi]

Hello all. This is my first time planting shallots in Southern California. They are Russian Reds and they have done spectacularly!!!

My problem is I don't know when to harvest. They are huge now and I so want to pull them out of the ground but also want to wait until the right time.

Anyone else in my neck of the woods grow shallots?

 

[Chuck]

When I grow shallots I treat them just like onions. When the tops start to turn brown and lay down it is ready to harvest.

 

[SheriDi]

Is that usually mid-summerish?

 

[Chuck]

Is that usually mid-summerish?

Here in Texas it is now, but where you live it is probably different. You can still harvest them and eat them as green onions but mature ripened shallots are when they turn brown and start to lay down. If they are still green and growing they will only get bigger and better. Let them do their thing.

 

[SheriDi]

Thanks, I will do that. They are HUGE compared to what I've bought in the grocery store! Looking forward to enjoying them at the right time.

 

[headfullofbees]

If you want to try some, you can lift them & cut off the roots, which will induce what Chuck said, but if you're happy to wait, & just wanted reassurance, Chuck is dead right.