Victory Onion in the Snow

This plant seems to go by at least a few names, as well as being closely related to some other species. This is Allium victoralis, commonly called the Victory Onion. It’s a wild growing plant, in the same family as leeks and garlic.

This particular variety is native to Kemerovo, Siberia, although also apparently grows on some Norwegian islands as well. I got this plant together with a similar plant originating from Spain a few months ago from Søren. Both plants are growing away happily in pots on my roof.

There are a few leaves missing from this picture, they went into yesterday’s lunch… Normally the plants have three leaves each. The taste is very nice, garlicky and hot. I understand this plant, when pickled, is considered a delicacy in Russia that rivals caviar.

It’s strange that it’s already sent up flower stalks! Does anyone know if that’s normal?

It’s snowing here!

First it snowed on Easter, which is a little unusual especially since it seemed like such a warm winter until now, but the snow has just kept coming and is starting to accumulate. They were even salting the roads here last night.

Some parts of my garden are under water at the moment. My potatoes are already in, so I’m a little worried about them being submerged for several days now. I planted them in trenches, which now have several centimeters of water on the bottoms.

I’ve already planted out some lettuce, and it’s taken a bit of a beating. I think some of it may survive. I’ve also set some tomatoes out in my unheated greenhouse, and they seem fine. Nighttime temperatures have been down to -4C.

I’ve been trying to harden some more plants ready to go out soon. It’s been a challenge to find a time during the day when it’s not snowing! Even though the daytime temps are above freezing, the snow lands on the plants and damages the leaves.