What do Wild Leeks look like when they are ready to harvest? If the forest canopy has already fully leafed out and you are finding leaves, double-check your identification as they may NOT be wild leeks. This means they leaf out in the spring, usually mid-May. When to Harvest Ramps? - Wild Leeks are ephemeral plants (see the definition above).

They are often located on south-facing slopes but can also be found in flat areas.

Where to find Wild Leeks? Ramps grow on the forest floor under deciduous trees such as maple.Where and what months do you harvest Wild Leeks? There are a handful of other species a novice forager may confuse them with, some of which have toxic properties.

It is essential to identify wild leeks correctly if you are looking to harvest them. How to Identify Wild Leeks & When to Harvest Them? Once the forest canopy leaves out, the leek leaves die back, and the bulbs stay hidden underground until they emerge again the following spring. They emerge to take advantage of the short period of full sun the forest floor receives after the snow has melted but before the trees leaf out. They grow, flower, and set seeds in a few short weeks in early spring. Leeks are an ephemeral species similar to Trilliums. Wild Leeks are a slow-growing perennial plant in the onion family, native to the hardwood forests of Northeastern North America. Wild Leek Infused Salt (great for meat rubs, eggs, corn on the cob, popcorn, really anywhere you use sale).Infused Wild Leek Vinegar (for salad dressings, steamed veggies & stir fry's).Here is a list of just a few of the things we make with wild leeks (see recipes at the bottom): Wild Leeks also make a fantastic edible to add flavours to many different dishes. They help build soil by laying down their leaves each spring, stabilize slopes from erosion with their roots, and feed insects and wildlife such as Deer and Wild Turkeys. įirst off, we must recognize that Wild Leeks play a vital role in the ecology of the forests in which they grow. They can be a little harsh on the stomach if eaten raw (just like eating a raw garlic clove), so we suggest cooking them before consumption (see recipes below). Just make sure you identify them correctly.īoth the leaves and the bulbs have a delicious onion and garlicky taste. These three regional-specific terms are what we call 'common names.' They all refer to the same plant species, which has the Latin name Allium tricoccum.Īlthough they are not related to the commonly cultivated leeks in the grocery store, they are an excellent wild edible. You may hear the terms Wild Leeks, Ramps or Wild Garlic. What are Wild Leeks & Ramps? Are Ramps and Wild Garlic the same as Wild Leeks?

Wild leek picking pa state park