[DD.]

Some varieties are over wintering, but these are planted at the same time as Japanese onions - Octoberish.

I plant my "spring" shallots in late Feb/early March and always get a good crop.

[bigben]

Last night I lifted mine that I planted around the end of Feb/March. The results are mixed - I planted 3 types - the last 3 packs in Wilkos at the time! The difference in them is huge some are like onions and others are so small I cannot be bothered to peel them. I wish I had marked which type was which for next year but forgot so it will be an adventure next year when I try them again. I remember one of the types was called something like golden gourmet- they were big and Ilook like the biggest ones I harvested.

My point is that they all had the same soil and care (lack of it) and some did really well so it might just be the type. Try a few different types next year - good luck

[JayG]

I've grown (saved) Vigarmor and Mikor this year and also Golden Globe (Wilco's)

The Golden Globe have way out-performed the other two although to be fair they are a larger bulbed variety.

Don't really have an answer, the first two did much better in previous years (maybe it's a "Sheffield Thing"!) 

[Stan160]

Strange as it may sound, if you want LARGE shallots, plant SMALL sets.
If you want SMALL shallots plant LARGE sets.

Very good crop of shallots last year.  I saw this advice so saved the 25 smallest shallots to plant just before Christmas.  Result:  A disappointing crop of tiny shallots this summer.

Good be all sorts of reasons I admit, but I won't be taking this advice in future!

[shokkyy]

Yes, Golden Gourmet was one of the varieties I tried. What puzzled me so much was that even within each variety there was enormous difference in size. Some Golden Gourmet were too small to be remotely useful but some (not many) were big. Ditto the red ones, some very big and some tiny. Maybe when they're overcrowded the most vigorous sets get all the food and the less vigorous next door set gets none, or something like that.