Dodger253

I planted shallots at the end of February which would be my usual practice in the UK, however, my French shallots look like they are ready to harvest! Everything in my french garden grows a lot faster than back in the UK (I am located in the Creuse) and I have to admit I am on a learning curve here in France. There is no die back on the leaves and to me the bulbs are the right size. Should I harvest or leave alone, as would be my normal practice, until the leaves die back. My daughter is keen for the bulbs to not be too big for pickling!!

I am looking to build some raised beds and wish to purchased pressure treated timber to construct them from. Any ideas where I can purchase such timber?

Soil is currently damp but certainly in no worse condition than I would have planted onions and shallots back in the UK. I intend to plant my shallots asap and probably follow up with a second lot at the end of March. This year is a bit of learning curve for me as it is my first season vegetable gardening in the Creuse.

I have read that shallots can be planted in the autumn, however, I have only ever seen shallot sets available in February to plant in Feb/March/April. Would shallot sets bought in Feb keep until the autumn do you think? I would expect them to go soft or sprout? That being the case how does one get shallot sets for autumn planting?

I might be stepping into it but.... What is the best manure? Horse or cow? Has anyone any experience of getting manure from local farmers? I have yet to approach mine although I think now is the time to do it as he is carting loads of it to his pasture (his is cow manure).

Problem I ran up against was that it is stated in the terms and conditions of the account or credit card that one has to have a UK address. Because of that I have had to close ING bank accounts and close my EGG credit card that had 1% cash back! I use HIFX and CABRITLINE and have been taken aback by the charges, albeit small, that the french bank charge. Least with HIFX they refund any charge CA Britline make.

Thanks for the reply. Seems I was looking a week or two too early! All the places I looked before now have them in.

I am a new resident to my area in the Creuse and I am looking to purchase some shallots. The only ones I have found in a France Rurel were poor quality. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase shallots near Gueret, Creuse?