As some of you know, I have tried to grow rhubarb in the past, but without success. I've always wanted to grow it. It's not easy in our climate. This year, the stalks are starting to swell, and it is nearly ready to harvest. I am thrilled. You have to wait for two years in order for the plant to develop the size and vigor it needs. The first year they are kind of spindly. They look like celery.
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| the smaller ones on the right are new growth |
I put these bulbs in last winter. Because we've had a wonderful rainy season, the plant seems much happier is very vibrant. Fortunately, the temperatures haven't been too high. I feed it homemade compost tea, and mulch it with straw. The red wiggler worms have done an excellent job of nourishing the soil.
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| a nearby apple tree in full bloom |
It looks like I will be able to bake a rhubarb crisp in the near future. It is usually very expensive in our grocery stores, so I am super excited to finally be able to produce it. Have you tried planting rhubarb?
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That's a really healthy looking rhubarb plant there. Enjoy making lots of different things with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Frugal. I am so excited to bake my favorite rhubarb crisp recipe with it. I make it each year at this time.
DeleteI could never grow rhubarb! I remember my grandma's rhubarb plant, which started me loving it. (And I'm the only one I know in my family that likes it). Your plant looks very healthy. Andrea
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea. I am so happy that it is doing well. The straw mulch and compost tea really have made a difference. Plus, we have had an incredible year for rain. I hear that it does well in England.
DeleteI love rhubarb and remember my grandparents growing it in their garden. I love it mixed with apple.
ReplyDeleteMegXx
I've never tried it that way, Meg. Thanks for the idea. Soon it will be time to start baking!
DeleteYour rhubarb plant is looking great! You must be doing something right with all the care you are lavishing on it! I've tried growing rhubarb and have not been successful. I probably didn't water it well enough or feed it sufficiently! I, too, love rhubarb, and will buy it, sometimes. But, as you said, it is not exactly cheap in the grocery stores.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bless. To be honest, I think the weather has had a lot to do with it. In the past, I tried to grow it during the drought.
DeleteTony isn't keen on Rhubarb and it takes a huge amount of space in a small garden so I dug mine out and gave it to my friend. I can always beg a couple of stalks off her if I feel the need to make rhubarb crumble... It's gorgeous with ginger. Just mix a little puree or powder in when you cook the rhubarb
ReplyDeleteThat's good that you found a home for the rhubarb plant, Cherie. I will have to try it with ginger. Sounds delicious...Thanks.
DeleteYour rhubarb looks to be thriving. I've never tried growing it myself, as I've not eaten any in years. You've made me want to try some now. X
ReplyDeleteHi Jules, I just love the flavor. It makes the most amazing desserts. I hope to freeze some.
DeleteThis is my third attempt, and to be honest, it doesn't look great just now. Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks emw. Mine recently started to take off and look thicker and healthier. I just fed it some blood water from the drippings from my buffalo steak. Hope you are successful with it this time.
DeleteI don’t think I’ve ever had rhubarb.
ReplyDeleteThat apple tree looks amazing!
Thanks Nil. I bet you would like rhubarb.
DeleteWe have four rhubarb plants down the allotment and they do really well. It really loves a good feed of well rotted farmyard manure now and again to keep it strong.
ReplyDeletexx
Wow, four plants, Joy. You must get a bountiful harvest. I'll ask my neighbor for some old manure. I compost my chicken manure, and I think that's why the compost tea has been so effective. It's causing it to reproduce, rapidly.
DeleteI am so pleased that your rhubarb is doing well, it looks strong and healthy.
ReplyDeleteI love rhubarb, too. Our plant is really a rhubarb forest, a small child can play hide and seek in it. I think it must really like the growing conditions in our garden, or maybe the climate is good for it? Or maybe it is just a particularly vigorous plant? I'll never know I guess. My husband makes a really good rhubarb and custard cake. I've even made rhubarb cordial with the excess, and rhubarb and stem ginger jam. But rhubarb crumble is the best, absolutely! The contrasting flavours and textures of the sweet crunchy crisp with the tangy soft rhubarb is divine. I know you'll love yours when it is time to harvest :-)
Thanks Christina. I would love to have a forest of rhubarb, like you described. Yum! I'm amazed at how big the plant is getting. What a difference, this being its second year. I plan to make rhubarb crisp which is like your crumble. I may bake a rhubarb strawberry pie. Yum!
DeleteI have serious garden envy now. I love rhubarb and yes, it is so expensive to buy. But it does not grow well at all down here and we really don't have the proper space. I love rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream on the side. I have such a hankering it right now!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be fun if you could come over and we could have a slice together, Anita? That would be fun to do up at the cabin...
DeleteIn my former home I had a terrific garden and grew rhubarb. Rhubarb Strawberry pie is delicious, and I also made a sauce with it to put over vanilla ice cream.
ReplyDeleteThat sauce sounds divine, Debbie. I'm so excited about the roses and rhubarb this year. They are new additions to the garden.
DeleteOur rhubarb on the allotment has really come into it's own and we have had several harvests from it already. We love it simply stewed with ice cream or custard. Your plant looks very healthy x
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know you could harvest it more than once. That's encouraging to know, PP. Thank you. Congratulations on your success with rhubarb. It's such an exciting plant to grow.
ReplyDelete