Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => The Show Bench => Topic started by: LivvyW on July 12, 2011, 20:38

Title: What size for shallots?
Post by: LivvyW on July 12, 2011, 20:38

First time showing shallots at my local show. Schedule does not specify sizes.

What do other shows require?

Any top tips in terms of presentation?

Title: Re: What size for shallots?
Post by: Salmo on July 28, 2011, 23:44

Remove all loose skins but try not to overskin as this spoils the colour. All classes of shallots are dressed. Tops folded over and bound with plain raffia. Damp the raffia and damp the tops by wrapping them in damp kitchen paper for a few minutes. This stops the skin on the tops cracking.

Usually classes are either
Exibition Shallots, which are as big as you have but matching bulbs with good shape and colour are more important than size.
or
Pickling Shallots, not bigger than 30mm. Condition and uniformity are again important.

At the show place them on fine dry sand. Plastic flowerpot saucers are good, 7 inch size for exhibition, 5 inch size for pickling. Pour in the sand to form a mound. Put a nice bold shallot in the middle then place the others round it. Smaller towards the front, that is unless they all match perfectly.

Title: Re: What size for shallots?
Post by: LivvyW on July 30, 2011, 21:18

Thanks for that Salmo. Lovely advice, show is on Monday will let you know how i get on.

Title: Re: What size for shallots?
Post by: LivvyW on August 01, 2011, 19:02

Hey Salmo,

I got first for my shallots!  :D

Title: Re: What size for shallots?
Post by: Salmo on August 02, 2011, 12:34

Well done!

Title: Re: What size for shallots?
Post by: Jamie Butterworth on August 03, 2011, 00:02

Congratulations! :D