Taylors Bulbs 8 Jermor Shallots

'Jermor' is a French banana shallot, sometimes called a 'longue' shallot, and one of the most popular varieties for flavour. The long, elegant bulbs have copper-coloured skins and rosy flesh with a sweet, mild taste that makes them ideal for sauces, dressings, salads and slow-cooked dishes. Each set divides as it grows to produce a cluster of new bulbs, so a single pack gives a good harvest. They also store well into the winter.

Plant the sets from September to November in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Dig the bed over well, remove weeds and work in a general fertiliser before planting. Set each shallot 3cm deep and 12cm apart, pointed end up, so the tip is just showing. Birds sometimes pull newly planted sets out of the ground, so it's worth checking them for the first few weeks and covering them with fleece or netting if needed. Keep the bed weed-free through spring.

Autumn-planted shallots are ready to lift in June and July, when the leaves start to yellow and die back. Ease the clusters out of the soil and leave them on the surface or a rack to dry in the sun. Once the skins are papery, rub off any loose skin and roots, then store them in a cool, dry, frost-free place.

Pack of 8 shallot sets. Each pack is checked before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.