Sow What?

Ever heard of rampion?  We bet that you have, only maybe you do not know it! 

According to the Brothers Grimm fairytale, it was the rampion plant that was so desired by a pregnant woman that her husband (as usual getting in trouble for his wife) stole it from the garden of their neighbour.  Unfortunately she was a witch who caught him and as a punishment made him promise to give her his unborn child, who was to be named Rapunzel – which ‘coincidentally’ is the alternative name of the rampion!  There is another simile because the wild Rapunzel plant can self fertilize by splitting into 2 coils, rather like the long curly braids that the imprisoned daughter threw from the tower to encourage a male into her sterile tower!

Rampion was a common root vegetable in old England and, although rare nowadays in this country, it is still cultivated across Europe.  Whilst the roots can be eaten raw when young and tender, usually the plant is left to be harvested in the Autumn and Winter, when both the leaves and roots can be cooked.   Furthermore, if left, the plant produces large beautiful flowers that make a statement in any flower garden – now that is a story to tell the children as they admire it growing!

Rampion should be sown and enjoyed.  Sow the seeds directly into your plot during the Autumn and early Winter and harvest from around February onwards.  Alternatively you can sow during Spring and harvest during the summer.  Why not give it a go and plant some rampion.  You can find further sowing information and buy the seeds by visiting our website.

Don’t forget to enjoy your gardening.