Ramps ( Wild Leek ) Seeds
Useful gardening
infomation
Ramps, Allium tricoccum, also known as wild leeks, are native to the eastern North
American mountains. They can be found growing in patches in rich, moist, deciduous
forests and bottoms from as far north as Canada, west to Missouri and Minnesota,
and south to North Carolina and Tennessee. In early spring, ramps send up smooth,
broad, lily-of-the-valley-like leaves that disappear by summer before the white
flowers appear. The bulbs have the pleasant taste of sweet spring onions with a strong
garlic-like aroma.
As one of the first plants to emerge in the spring, ramps were traditionally consumed
as the season's first "greens". They were considered a tonic because they provided
necessary vitamins and minerals following long winter months without any fresh
vegetables. Traditions evolved around the annual gathering and preparation of this
pungent plant. Throughout the mountains of the eastern U.S., including many western
North Carolina counties, annual spring ramps festivals are held.
Ramps grow naturally under a forest canopy of beech, birch, sugar maple, and/or poplar.
Other forest trees under which ramps will grow include buckeye, linden (basswood),
hickory, and oak. A forested area with any of these trees present provides an ideal
location for planting a ramp crop. Areas that host trillium, toothwort, nettle, black
cohosh, ginseng, bloodroot, trout lily, bellwort, and mayapple should be suitable for
growing ramps. If there is not a wooded area available to grow ramps, a shade
structure can be erected over the planting site.
Sowing
Instructions
Although ramp seeds can be sown anytime the soil is not frozen, late summer to
early fall is usually considered the best time for seeding ramps. Fresh ramp seeds
have a dormant, under-developed embryo. The seed requires a warm, moist period to
break root dormancy and a subsequent cold period to break shoot dormancy. Some
years there is enough warm weather after sowing in late summer or early fall to
break root dormancy. The following winter cold breaks shoot dormancy and the
plants emerge in spring. If there is not an adequate warm period after sowing,
the seed will not germinate until the second spring. Thus, ramp seeds can take 6
to 18 months to germinate. Being able to provide
adequate soil moisture and protection from wildlife are other key factors in
determining where and when to sow seeds. Production from sowing seeds to root
harvest can take 5 to 7 years.
Ramp ( Wild Leek ) Seeds
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NB69 Ramps ( Wild Leeks )
Very hard seeds to come by! We can only offer small starter packs, but these plants will multiply quickly over a few seasons if allowed to do so, we recommend you should start your batch now!
( Allium tricoccum )Considered by many to be the best tasting member of the onion family.
The leaves are are very tender early in the Spring and the
bulb is edible year round, though they can toughen up in the summer.
Broad, smooth, light green leaves, often with deep purple or
burgundy tints on the lower stems begin arriving in small troops as soon as
the snow disappears.
750mg pack of seeds ( average 30-40 seeds ) $3.95
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W233 Chinese Leeks ( Allium tuberosum rottler )
The Chinese Leek, also known as Chinese Chive, has a long history in Chinese and Japanese kitchens as well as the medicine cabinet. Has a delicate garlic-chive flavor. The leaves can be prepared in stir-fries, egg dishes, meat or fish dishes, or even by themselves. The Japanese make a tempura snack by tying the leaves into a bundle, dipping them in batter, and deep-frying them. The pretty, star-like white flowers make this herb an attractive addition to the garden. If they're not being used in a vase on the table, the flowers and flower buds can be part of your meal. The flowering stems retain their color when cooked and can be steamed as you might prepare asparagus. Flower buds are tasty in a salad, dressed with a little oil. In Asia, the flowers are sometimes ground into a spice.
This variety grows large broad leaves with long stems. Plants are very vigorous in warm climates and can be harvested many times per season. Young large leaves are very tender and delicious, widely used in various Oriental cooking. This unique variety is also very good for blanching plants in totally dark (not exposed to light at all) environemnts, to grow the delicate yellow Chinese Leek, also called "Joe Huang" in Chinese.
1g pack of seeds ( average about 100 seeds ) $2.95
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