I pull mine when the leaves have fallen over and yellowed.

Rodney

I pulled mine out last week, they are drying in the sun now. The tops were laying on the ground and dying.

Thank you both, they are doing just that. So time to harvest.
Rina

I was told to wait until that bunch of shallots opens up, spreads out, and a gentle tug pulls the whole bunch out. I pulled this bunch shortly after taking this picture. This pretty much corresponded to the tops dyeing back.

yolos

Thank you for that photo, mine are definitely not so open yet, and they are more covered in soil. Is it something that will happen, or maybe I planted mine too deep? I wonder if I should wait few more days?
Photo below is the same clumps, as soon as I lifted it from the soil.
Rina

This post was edited by rina_ on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 11:26

Sorry, the above is my total knowledge for shallots. The first year I planted them they were a bust. This year they did ok. Your bulbs actually look bigger than mine. I was also told to plant them with the top of the set above ground. So it really depends how deep you planted them. If they were planted deeper than mine, then the soil may keep them from separating like mine did. But maybe you do not have to wait until they separate ??? Don't know enough to advise you.

As both I and stac5455 said above, the leaves are the best indication for when to harvest.

When planting, the tip of the shallot bulb (assuming you're planted bulbs and not transplants) should be about even or a little above the surface of the soil. At this planting depth the bulbs will push themselves up above the soil surface when they are bulbing, as is evidenced in yolos' photo. Deeper planted bulbs/plants will not do this.

Rina, the leaves of your shallots still look quite green to me. I think they need a little more time.

Rodney

This post was edited by theforgottenone1013 on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 16:57

Rodney

Thank you again. I didn't pick any more; here is another photo of what's in ground. I am sure I planted them deeper than you suggested (they were bulbs, not transplants).

I have few with tall flower stalks, is that 'normal'? I am really novice at this...Thanks again. Rina

yolos
looks like you have more bulbs than me in the clumps.

This post was edited by rina_ on Sat, Jul 26, 14 at 21:02