When to plant ramp seeds?

[Jenise]

About now?

[Robin Garr]

Last fall. As I understand it, the seeds need to over-winter before they grow. Can you get some ramps at a farmers market? Are they grown in your neck of the woods?

I only know ramps in the wild. The blossom is on the end of a very fine stalk and the seeds seem nearly microscopic. They self seed in the fall and are very finicky about soil and humidity. It takes years for harvestable bulb production, thus the real concern about over harvesting. If I am in Wisconsin during the season I am careful to harvest from large bunches with thick stalks leaving the less mature plants for future growth and propagation.
A friend who successfully transplanted a few into a sheltered spot in her yard similar to the natural habitat has seen seed stalks but has no new plants in 8 years.

[Jenise]

Nope, no ramps here. Well, once at a Whole Foods Market in Seattle but god knows where they were grown.

I ask because I have a seed packet given me a few years ago. Your description of "microscopic" made me laugh--the packet feels like it has almost nothing in it. And it's from a foreign country in a language so odd looking I can't even guess what it is let alone what it says, so no help there! If they grow in Wisconsin, Christina, I'd think they'd grow here, our climates are similar. But wow from your descriptions, they sound very tricky (and I struggle with things that are easy, so my odds aren't good.)

[Robin Garr]

And it's from a foreign country in a language so odd looking I can't even guess what it is let alone what it says, so no help there!

Jenise, if you have the Google Translate app on your phone (or are willing to put it on) you can solve that. Open the app, choose "detect language," then tap "camera," and take a picture of the text. Google is surprisingly good at working with that. I've used it successfully on Chinese restaurant menus and such.

[Jenise]

Robin, thanks, I'll try that!

I didn't know you could harvest ramps anywhere but in the wild. There are seeds?

[Jenise]

I didn't know you could harvest ramps anywhere but in the wild. There are seeds?

Yup. Easily identifiable from the pic on the seed packet which came from I don't know what country yet. I believe my brother sent them to me.

Ithink planting in the Fall after the summer heat is over is required.

This sums it up https://www.thespruce.com/growing-ramps ... 0and%207.2.

A lot of fuss but as you have the seeds, why not try. I think you have a shaded spot over by the fence away from the house don't you?

Can't recall if marihuana is now legal in WA but suggest that you try not to look furtive when planting to avoid possible later illicit mistaken harvesting by neighbours.

I would agree with Bill, why not since you have the seeds but unless you have an area with LOTS of leaf litter don't be disappointed.

Psst - I have LOTS of leaf litter if you need some - been dumping barrels full. Might have issues at the border though ("It's what? Weeds? Dirt...??")

[Jenise]

I would agree with Bill, why not since you have the seeds but unless you have an area with LOTS of leaf litter don't be disappointed.

Unfortunately because of the long January freeze, I now have lots of leaf litter from bamboo and bay leaf. Tragic consequences on both!

Woof. I thought bamboo was pretty cold-hardy.

Sorry to hear about the bamboo and bay leaf. Which sort of bay laurel was it? European or American?

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

Woof. I thought bamboo was pretty cold-hardy.

I'm shocked at what happened. It's ugly. In December I had my gardener attempt to fix up the bamboo and he kind of shaved the front area off with a chain saw. I wonder if the timing of that with super cold weather following pretty closely is the problem.

Paul, I think it's American.