Shallots
Hi Everyone. Although I am not new to allotments and gardening, I am a newbie to this forum and it is the first year I have grown shallots - which is what i need advice on. I make a lot of pickles, chutneys etc and thought i would pickle my own onions this year.
I went out to the allotment last night and most of the shallots are ready to be dug up and dried but under the first 4 plants there were hundreds of ants and ant eggs. Would do i do? Any advice would be very much appreciated. After a not very successful year with most things grown, I am losing heart at the moment :(
I do not see a problem. Just harvest the shallots when you are ready and leave them to dry in a covered sunny place.
Hi Rosebud
As I have only just joined the forum my comments are only useful for 2011
Shallots can be grown from seed but mainly from sets Pickling onions are grown from seed. In order to avoid runny eyes when skining just remove top and rootplate
then immerse in boiling water for a few minutes depending on size,strain and plunge into cold water then the skins will just slide off then prepare for pickling as normal
Best of luck for this year
Al