How Do You Know When To Pick Shallots

You know when to pick shallots by watching for a few clear signs, and I’m going to walk you through each one so you get it right every time.
 
Knowing when to pick shallots is all about timing, and that timing depends on how you planted them and what you want to use them for.
 
If you’ve been wondering how do you know when to pick shallots, the short answer is that they’re ready when the tops start to yellow and flop over, much like onions.
 
But there’s a bit more nuance to it, so let’s dig into the details that tell you exactly when to pick shallots for the best flavor and longest storage.
 
In this post, we’ll cover every clue that helps you decide when to pick shallots, from leaf color to bulb size, and even how the weather plays a role.
 
Let’s get started.

Signs That Tell You When To Pick Shallots

The most reliable way to know when to pick shallots is to watch the foliage, because the plant basically tells you when it’s done.
 
Shallots are ready to harvest when about half to two-thirds of the green tops have turned yellow and begun to bend over at the neck.
 
This natural die-back is the plant’s way of saying the bulbs have finished maturing and are now focusing on curing rather than growing.
 
Here are the specific signs you need to look for when deciding when to pick shallots from your garden.

1. Yellowing and Falling Tops

When the tops of your shallots start to yellow and flop over, that’s your first big clue that it’s time to pick shallots.
 
You’ll notice the leaves lose their bright green color and become dry and straw-like, which means growth has stopped.
 
Don’t wait for every single leaf to fall, because doing so can leave the bulbs in the ground too long and cause them to split or resprout.
 
A good rule of thumb is that when you see that yellowing happening on the majority of plants, you know when to pick shallots.

2. Bulb Size and Shape

Another way to determine when to pick shallots is to gently brush away some soil and check the bulb size.
 
Shallots are ready when they’ve reached a decent size, usually about an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, but this varies by variety.
 
If the bulbs feel firm and have that classic elongated or round shape with distinct cloves developing, that’s a good sign.
 
However, if the bulbs still feel soft or small, you might want to give them more time before you pick shallots.
 
Just remember that shallots won’t get much bigger once the tops start dying back, so don’t wait for enormous bulbs.

3. Days to Maturity

Counting days from planting is another helpful method for knowing when to pick shallots.
 
Most shallot varieties take about 90 to 120 days from planting sets, or roughly 60 to 80 days after green shoots emerge in spring.
 
If you planted in the fall, you’ll typically pick shallots in early summer, while spring-planted shallots are ready by mid to late summer.
 
Mark your calendar, but always combine that date with the visual cues, because weather can speed up or slow down maturity.
 
Using this timeline alongside the yellowing tops is the safest bet for when to pick shallots.

How Weather Affects When To Pick Shallots

Weather plays a huge role in determining when to pick shallots because it directly impacts how fast the plants mature.
 
If you’ve had a hot, dry stretch, your shallots might be ready earlier than expected, as heat stresses the plant and triggers early die-back.
 
On the flip side, a cool, wet spring can delay maturity and push back the time when to pick shallots by a week or two.
 
Here’s what you need to know about adjusting your harvest based on conditions.

1. Hot and Dry Conditions

When temperatures soar and rain is scarce, shallots may yellow and fall over faster than usual.
 
This is a stress response, so even if the bulbs look a bit small, you should pick shallots before they start to suffer in the dry soil.
 
Prolonged heat can cause the bulbs to stop growing and begin curing underground, which means they won’t get any bigger.
 
In this case, the tops falling over is your clear signal for when to pick shallots.

2. Cool and Wet Weather

If you’ve had a lot of rain and cooler temperatures, your shallots might hold their green tops longer.
 
That doesn’t mean they’re not mature; it just means you’ll need to wait for the natural yellowing to begin before you pick shallots.
 
Be patient, but also be cautious, because overly wet soil can lead to rot if you leave the bulbs in the ground too long.
 
Check the bulbs regularly by feeling around the base, and if they’re plump and the tops are starting to soften, that’s your cue.

What Happens If You Don’t Pick Shallots At The Right Time

Understanding when to pick shallots also means knowing what goes wrong if you wait too long or harvest too early.
 
If you pick shallots too early, the bulbs won’t have developed their full flavor and won’t store well because the skins are too thin.
 
If you leave them in the ground past the ideal time, they might split open, start growing new shoots, or even rot in damp soil.
 
Here are the two main risks.

1. Early Harvest Issues

Picking shallots before the tops yellow means the bulbs haven’t finished maturing and will be milder in taste.
 
They’ll also have a higher water content, which makes them more prone to mold and rot during storage.
 
To avoid this, resist the urge to harvest just because the bulbs look big enough.
 
You’ll know when to pick shallots when the tops genuinely start to die back, not just when you’re impatient.

2. Late Harvest Problems

Waiting too long to pick shallots can lead to the bulbs splitting apart as they try to grow new shoots.
 
Once that happens, the shallots are no longer good for storage and should be used quickly, as they’ll lose quality fast.
 
Rain after the tops have fallen can also cause the bulbs to rot in the ground, so don’t delay once you see the signs.

How To Pick Shallots For Best Results

Once you’ve decided it’s time to pick shallots, the method matters just as much as the timing.
 
Gently loosen the soil around each cluster with a garden fork, being careful not to stab the bulbs themselves.
 
Then lift the entire bunch out by hand, and shake off any loose dirt, but leave the roots and tops attached for now.
 
Lay the shallots out in a single layer in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot, out of direct sunlight.
 
Let them cure for two to three weeks until the skins are papery and the necks are completely dry, which locks in that flavor.
 
After curing, you can trim the tops and roots, and then you’ll have properly harvested shallots that store for months.

So, How Do You Know When To Pick Shallots?

You know when to pick shallots when the majority of the tops have yellowed and flopped over naturally.
 
That visual cue, combined with checking bulb firmness and your planting calendar, gives you the perfect window for picking shallots.
 
Weather can shift that timing slightly, but the signs remain the same, so trust the plant over the calendar alone.
 
As long as you pick shallots before they split or resprout, and you cure them properly, you’ll enjoy sweet, pungent bulbs all year.
 
Now you’re armed with everything you need to harvest at the perfect moment every single season, happy digging.