The shallots had been started into growth at the end of September, directly into the soil. The early growth gave much better shallots and, as they were capable of being harvested earlier as well, there was less likelihood of them going double and misshapen. Have you ever had your cucumber plants collapse on you when they are fully grown and producing plenty of fruit? This is a bacterial disease called basal stem rot which has other common names as well such as soft rot, cucumber foot rot and canker.
Growing Parsnips
25th July 2007 I am often asked what is the best method of growing both long carrots and parsnips for the show