Month: March 2017

Ramp Cultivation

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A special thanks to Tanner Filyaw, Rural Action, for background and source material.   Used with permission.

 

pic credit: Appalachian Sustainable Development

 

Ramps are a species of wild onion that is native to the eastern North American mountains.  They prefer rich, moist, shady soils under tree species such as maple, oak, hickory, buckeye, beech and birth which means they are commonly encountered in Hocking County.

Pic credit: Rural Action, Tanner Filyaw

 

 

I personally grow a bunch of different onion varieties but these have several unusual cultivation characteristics if folks want to propagate them.

And we should.  Ramps have increased in popularity in recent years as a foraged local food for both home use and restaurant use.  The primary source for ramps has been harvest off of public land with little thought to sustainability and this has negatively impacted ramp population in the wild.

pic credit: Appalachian Sustainable Development

A study of the ramp life cycle is important to understand the challenges of propagating this plant.

Ramp Life Cycle –> Ramp Life Cycle Calendar-wl0p66

 

Cultivation:

  • From divisions/transplants – be gentle, can purchase plants or divide mature clumps in spring.  If divide clumps, harvest no more than 15% of the clump.  ( I have seen as few as 5% recommended)

pic credit: Rural Action, Tanner Filyaw

  • From seed – can sow anytime,  BEST time is late summer to early fall. Can take up to 18 months to germinate!  Total time to harvest from sown seed can be 5-7 years.

pic credit: Rural Action, Tanner Filyaw

 

Ramp seed sources:

Awesome ramp cultivation links:

 

 

 

2017 Hocking Hills Farmer’s Market

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I was absolutely sick to my stomach when I woke up, started reading the paper and saw that the Hocking Hills Dining Lodge had burned down.   The lodge provided jobs for many people as well as a place for local artists to showcase their art.  It was also the location of the Hocking Hills Farmer’s Market last year.  It was their first year in that location and the word was getting out.  Now they have to start over.

The good news is that they have a great new location for 2017 at the Hocking Hills Winery.

The market is still looking for produce vendors!!!   Think about that if you are looking to make some money as the market is an excellent small business incubator to showcase product with minor overhead costs.

Market Rules and Regulations —>  HOCKING HILLS FARMERS MARKET INFO-usj0tq

Vendor Application —>  2017 HOCKING HILLS FARMERS MARKET APPLICATION-25q2w80

I wish them luck and will help market the market.  Opening day is May 27th.