Have you ever heard of a ramp? What are ramp vegetables? That answers part of the question, but there is much more to discover about ramp vegetable plants, such as using ramps and how to grow wild leek ramps

What are ramp vegetables?

Ramp Vegetable Plants Allium tricoccum are native to the Appalachian Mountains, northern Canada, western Missouri and Minnesota, and southern North Carolina and Tennessee. Ramps are commonly found in clumps in rich, moist deciduous forests. A cousin of the onion , leek , and garlic plant , ramp is also a spicy vegetable that is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

Ramps have traditionally been foraged rather than cultivated and are easily identified by their leaves, usually producing two wide, flat leaves from each bulb. They are light green, silvery, 1 to 2 ½ inches wide and 5 to 10 inches long. They bloom in spring, the leaves wither and die in June and a small cluster of white flowers is produced.

There is some disparity regarding the genesis of the name. Some people say the name “ramp” is a shortened version of Aries the Ram, the zodiac sign for April and the month when crescent ramps begin to appear. Others say “ramp” is derived from a similar English plant called “ransom” Allium ursinus , which was previously called “ramson.”

Uses for ramps

Ramps are harvested for their bulbs and leaves that taste like chives with a garlicky aroma. In the past, they were usually fried in animal fat butter with eggs and potatoes or added to soups and pancakes. Both early settlers and American Indians appreciated ramps. They were an important source of food in early spring after months without fresh vegetables and were considered a “tonic”. The ramps can also be pickled or dried for later use. Nowadays, they are found sautéed in butter or olive oil in fine dining establishments.

Ramps and their relatives have been used medicinally to treat a number of ailments, and one of these ancient remedies has carried over into the world of modern medicine. One of the most common uses of both garlic and ramps was to expel worms, and a concentrated form is now produced commercially. It’s called allicin, which comes from the scientific name Allium, the group name for all onions, garlic and ramps.

How to Grow Wild Leek Ramps

As mentioned, ramps are generally harvested, not grown, that is, until relatively recently. Ramps can be found at many farmers markets grown by local farmers. This is where some people have met them. This is creating a market for more ramps, which, in turn, is causing more farmers to start growing them and exciting many home gardeners.

So how do you grow wild ramps? Note that they grow naturally in a shaded area with abundant, moist, well-draining soil high in organic matter . Think of the wet forest floor. They can be grown from seeds or through transplants.

Seeds can be sown any time the ground is not frozen, from late summer to early fall, prime time. Seeds need a warm, wet period to break dormancy followed by a cold period. If there is not enough warming after sowing, the seeds will not germinate until the second spring. Therefore, germination can take between six and 18 months. Nobody said this would be easy.

Be sure to incorporate plenty of organic matter found in a decomposing forest soil, such as composted leaves or decaying plants. Weed, loosen the soil and rake to prepare a fine seed bed. Sow the seeds thinly on top of the soil and press them gently into the soil. Water and cover the ramp seeds with several inches of leaves to retain moisture.

If you are growing ramps by transplanting, plant bulbs in February or March. Place the bulbs 3 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. Water and mulch the bed with 2-3 inches of composted leaves.

What is paclobutrazol? Information on Paclobutrazol for Lawns

Paclobutrazol is a fungicide that is often used not to kill fungi, but to slow the top growth of plants. This is good for making plants sturdier and fuller and producing fruit more quickly. Read on to learn more about the effects and uses of paclobutrazol.