My ramps are coming up! They’re a type of wild woodland garlic, Allium tricoccum, and are similar to ramsons (Allium ursinum), which are more commonly found in Europe. I planted them in the fall of 2024, so this is their 2nd spring. I’ve planted them as both bulbs and seeds, the latter being more economical over a large bed. The recommended harvest guidelines are to wait 3-5 years from bulbs and 5-7 years from seed so that the bulbs can become established. So for now, I’m just admiring them.

Last May, after the ramps had faded, I planted nasturtiums in the same bed. The ramps are now coming up in the refuse from the nasturtium vines. The nasturtiums should reseed well, as they’ve always done for me, and start coming up again in summer just as the ramps have retired for the year.

Nasturtium roots to be shallowly-rooted. So hopefully I can keep both of these crops perpetually succession-planted in the same bed without their roots impeding the establishment of the ramp bulbs. I’ll keep an eye on them and let you know how it goes!