LIFT AND DRY SHALLOTS

Once the foliage starts to die down on your shallots, they’re ready for harvesting. It’s worth gently levering under the bulbs with a hand fork to loosen the roots first, then choose a dry, sunny day about a week later to lift them. Leave the harvested shallots on the soil surface to set the skins for a few hours. To dry them fully for storage, bring them into your greenhouse or conservatory and spread them out on racks or trays. Over the next two weeks, turn them every few days so the sun will harden and ripen their skins, which helps to preserve the bulbs inside.