[SusieB]

When is the best time to harvest second earlies? 

The haulms have gone yellow and died down.  I'm going to struggle to harvest them at the moment, but if it means they will keep better, I'll get it done.

And any tips on harvesting/storing also gratefully received.

[New shoot]

You can leave them in the ground until you are ready to harvest.  They are likely to be pretty large if you have let them get to the stage the haulms have died down, but they will have made an early maincrop for you.  My Kestrals are the same stage and I'm digging them as I need them 

There is a danger of slug damage if you leave them in, but this will depend on your soil and the variety you have grown.

To store, dry them briefly on the soil surface - just until all traces of damp are gone from the skins and any attached mud.  You can take the big lumps off, but be really careful not to damage the skins.  Don't wash them and store in paper sacks or hessian ones in a cool dark place.  They need to stay frost free as well 

[SusieB]

Brilliant, just the information I needed.  Thank you.

[Sweetpea C]

Brilliant, just the information I needed.  Thank you.

Thank you - me too!!!

[Beetroot Queen]

Me three i have never left mine out to dry off but then they dont last long enough with florence spud head about 

I did wash mine the first year and realised that was a mistake

[New shoot]

If you let them dry for an hour, the skins harden up and are less likely to be damaged in storage.  You also don't want any trace of dampness if they are going in a sack, in case mould spreads.

Mind you, if little Florence spud head downs them that quick, no need to worry