I got a bagful of dozens and dozens of ramps this week and have been keeping them moist and cool. Today’s the day–I’m planting ramps. (Find out more about ramps–how to find them, and how to grow your own–here.) Ramps are easy to grow–I was successful with them at Stringtown Rising. You can cut off the root ends and plant them, leaving the stinky rest for your culinary endeavors. It takes a few years for them to grow and spread before you can harvest. I’d been growing them at the old farm for several years, but I’ll have to start over here. According to the previous owners, there weren’t any ramps growing on this farm. I’ll change that today!
Ross is also helping me dig holes–we’re planting five sugar maples today, too.
Joell says:
:butterfly: :butterfly: :butterfly: :butterfly: :butterfly: :butterfly:
I declare Suzanne, I think you actually have improve the new farm more in the short time you have been there than all of the time you were at Stringtown, it seems you have a renewed energy, you have always been a hard worker but are really making your farm your own. I just know when you head hits the pillow you can revel in the things you did that day, and as well as planning the next day. I have never been able to get to a place where ever thing is “done” altough age is slowing me down now, but I still have things I want to do.
It is a labor of love, and it makes one the best kind of tired.
On April 14, 2012 at 1:05 pm
AnnieB says:
Oh man, Suzanne, my mouth is watering for some ramps. We probably won’t see them here for another couple of weeks, and I can’t wait!
I know you want to plant the bulbs, but if you can spare a few, have you ever slow-cooked the bulbs in olive oil? Put them in enough olive oil to cover and cook them very, very slowly, turning them once in a while, until they have become lightly golden. Oh my, they are soooo good. And you can then re-use the olive oil, which will have a delicious ramp-y flavor!
On April 14, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
AnnieB, that sounds so good! I do cut off the root end, but I leave enough bulb to work with still, just not as much as you’d have otherwise.
On April 14, 2012 at 4:40 pm
wvhomecanner says:
Mmmmmm AnnieB I think you mentioned that olive oil idea before and I had forgotten about it! Sounds great!
On Easter Sunday my step-dad minced ramps and stirred them into cheese dip. So simple, so GOOD.
dede
On April 14, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Pete says:
Yum! We went to a ram feed this afternoon, and I am still filled to overflowing!!
We should have ramps here as well. Not sure why we don’t, but we just found out that a neighbor planted some a fews years ago and has not checked on them since. Field trip!
On April 14, 2012 at 7:44 pm
banjodown says:
I’ve never even heard of ramps before! How interesting…
Thanks for the link to info!
On April 14, 2012 at 9:06 pm
AnnieB says:
That photo is just drivin’ me nuts! The leaves look so fresh and green…..
Our local farmers market opens the first weekend of May and I’m hoping our favorite ramp purveyor – Lettuce Alone Farm (cute name!) will have piles of ramps! :eating:
On April 14, 2012 at 9:33 pm
bbkrehmeyer says:
what are ramps? I have never heard of them
the leaves sorta look like hostas.
On April 14, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
bbkrehmeyer, click the link in the post for a description of ramps!
On April 15, 2012 at 7:12 am
Miss Judy says:
Never seen ramps around here. You are planting sugar maples…are you planting any fruit trees?
On April 14, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, the fruit trees arrived yesterday afternoon, so will be going in within a couple days.
On April 15, 2012 at 7:13 am
rhubarbrose says:
Yeah!!!! Great things are happening and growing at Sassafras!!!!!
On April 15, 2012 at 1:58 pm