Allium ursinum RAMSONS (25 seeds)

Wild garlic, also known as ramsons or bear’s garlic, is a hardy perennial herb belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family (formerly Alliaceae). Allium ursinum is a highly aromatic woodland plant native to Europe and Asia, thriving in cool, shaded areas. It grows quickly, reaching a height of 20 to 35 cm.

Wild garlic enters a period of vegetative rest starting in June, during which it multiplies. In the summer, its foliage yellows and dries up as the plant enters dormancy until new leaves emerge in early March. The name "bear’s garlic" comes from the fact that it is the first herb consumed by bears in the forest after their hibernation period ends.

Its star-shaped white flowers bloom throughout the month of May but carry no fragrance.

Ramsons seeds are small, round, slightly rough, and black.

- Properties:

Wild garlic is a wild plant highly prized in spring cooking for its subtle flavor, which is lighter than that of cultivated garlic. Its leaves, harvested before flowering, are used fresh to prepare pestos, flavored butters, or to season soups and salads. It is an ingredient of choice for revitalizing the body at the end of winter.

Finally, wild garlic plays an important ecological role in damp woodlands, where it forms vast green carpets. In addition to its aesthetic appeal in natural gardening, it is an early food source for pollinators. When foraging in the wild, great caution is required to avoid confusing it with lily of the valley or colchicum, which are toxic plants.

- Sowing and Germination:

• Begin by stratifying the seeds in a tray of fine potting soil.
• Sow the seeds at a depth of 5 millimeters.
• Leave the tray outside during the winter (November to February) or place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks.
• Gently press the soil down with your hands.
• Water by spraying.
• Keep the culture in a cold greenhouse until germination occurs in May. The temperature should be between 15°C and 20°C.
• Germination typically begins after 15 to 30 days.

- Substrate:

Wild garlic grows in cool, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, typical of forest undergrowth.

- Location and Environment:

Wild garlic should be planted in a bright spot without too much direct sunlight. It generally grows in forest clearings.

- Hardiness and Temperatures:

Wild garlic is a herbaceous plant that is very resistant to freezing temperatures. Its vegetative cycle is very short, lasting only three months of the year.

- Irrigation and Watering:

Allium ursinum requires a humid environment. Because it typically grows in deciduous forests where the soil remains naturally cool, it generally does not require additional watering.

- Propagation:

There are two ways to propagate it: either by sowing seeds or by dividing its bulbs.

- Pests and Diseases:

Rust is the most common fungal attack affecting this plant. It is rarely affected by insect pests.