Shallots going to seed!!!

[Captain Caveman]

Help!!
My shallotts seem to be going to seed and it seems a little early
They went really bulky at the base implying there was a lot of growth in the shallots but I'm not supposed to harvest til July
Is it because we had a real dry spell? I have quite a light soil
I have probably put them closer together than recommended too

This is the first year I've grown shallots

Do I just pull the top off and pray or harvest now and hope there is something worthwhile?

[Millymollymandy]

I have had the same problem with my onions (Red Baron) already about 8 have sent up flower shoots so they are a write off. It may well be the kind of soil and dry weather as they do need lots of water as they are quite shallow rooted - I have the same soil as you and I started to water as soon as I saw they were going to flower - then thankfully the heavens opened for 5 days and saved me a lot of work.

I've never grown shallots but onions that have sent out flower shoots don't form decent onions I'm afraid.

[Odsox]

Yes, I think it must be the weather.
I have the same problem with my autumn planted onion sets, about 10 have thrown up a flowering spike.

Not a write off MMM as such as you can use them as "green onions" in cooking (even if the are red ), provided you use them soon.
The centre flower shoot is still soft and edible at the base, and if you pinch the flower bud off they seem to stay soft longer.

My shallots on the other hand are OK, same weather, same soil and planted at the same time.

[becks77]

When my onions did this I was advised to bend over the flower heads ...just snap them off worked a treat.

[Millymollymandy]

Should I pick them now then Odsox? When I've left them until the rest are ready they've just gone all thick and woody looking.

Found a garlic doing the same thing yesterday - should I be pulling that one up too?

Aaarrrgh so much to do in the garden, rubbish weather, family here, not even enough time on forums ....... *tears hair out smilie*

[Millymollymandy]

provided you use them soon.

Oh dear, just seen that on rereading. Umm now have to work out which ones got their flower spike picked off....

[Odsox]

Should I pick them now then Odsox? When I've left them until the rest are ready they've just gone all thick and woody looking

Yes this is what I have found as well, the centre gets very woody and inedible.
If you have picked off the flower bud I should think it's still soft for a month or so. Best thing to do is dish up a load of fried onions for all your guests with liver & bacon and invite me over
I've never had garlic run to seed but I imagine the same applies, so chop that one up with the fried onions too.

[CyberPaddy66]

We had one of out 12 shoot up a flower, I didn't even notice until it was way too late but the upshot of it is that it created another 6 baby ones that we planted and are nor going great guns ;)