It has been my greatest gardening dream for several years to establish wild garlic (Ramsons) in the garden here, under the trees. They self-seed, they would counteract the insane quantities of bluebells and grape hyacinths which currently grow everywhere, and unlike those plants, are EDIBLE and DELICIOUS. Every year I forget to plant the seeds in autumn, only to in spring discover the packet in the bottom of the veg seeds drawer, with its annoying missive “these seeds require exposure to frost, cold etc. to germinate”.

This year I was victorious! I planted the Ramsons, along with some Land Cress, some Lamb’s Lettuce, and some Sweet Cicely earlier today – all of which need to be planted now. I have dug out a shady spot underneath the mulberry tree, and intend to establish this as the epicentre of wild, woodland greens and also the headquarters of my lovely Cuckoo pints (English Arums) which are doing a fine job of establishing themselves now that they aren’t smothered in Madder and Bindweed.

Notes:

Allium Ursinum

Seeds may require exposure to cold. Sow as normal and keep at 18/22°C for 2/4 weeks. Transfer to -4/+4°C for 4/6 weeks. Return to warmth but no more than 18°C. If necessary, repeat these periods of warmth and cold.

Sweet Cicely

Sow outside in the autumn. Seed will not germinate without exposure for several months to low temperatures.