Ultimately, I consider myself a truly lazy gardener. If there is a way to make something I don't enjoy easier, faster, more pleasant, etc, I am all for it. If I can find someone else to do it, so much the better...things like weeding and watering fall squarely in that category. I would much rather be starting seeds, planting, cutting flowers, harvesting fruits and veggies and admiring mother nature. Really, if fun isn't involved, my interest level decreases significantly.
And let me tell you, growing rhubarb is packed with fun! Now, at first glance, this may seem like an odd statement. But, very few plants are as beautiful, produce as well and love neglect as my tart little friend here. Though they are a vegetable, we generally treat them as a fruit...so, I celebrate their spring arrival with visions of baked goods dancing in my heads. In fact, I just posted a recipe for Rhubarb Cake with Citrus Glaze on Portland Foodie and will be posting a recipe for Rhubarb Bread there tomorrow.
My love affair with rhubarb started about a year ago ("Can This Rhubarb Be Saved?") with a bag of starts I had purchased. I am sad to say that none of them survived. In fact, the one that was doing well, despite all odds, was dug out of the ground and carried away this spring by either a determined squirrel or raccoon.
But that won't stop me, I have a huge rhubarb plant that came with the house. I just harvested the first ruby red stems and they were oh-so-tasty (remember:the leaves are poisonous...so don't eat).
Growing rhubarb is easy...it needs very little from you. However, it does not like the heat, so growing it in southern gardens will be a challenge. Though I need to say that when I lived in Oklahoma, my next door neighbor grew some on a protected side of a pergola that only got morning sun. So hey, don't discount the power of micro-climates.
How to Grow:
- Rhubarb tolerates most soils, but since it is a perennial, plant it in a spot with relatively good soil where it can stay for a while
- It generally likes soil that is slightly acidic, so keep that in mind when fertilizing...give it several doses of a good organic fertilizer during the growing season or use an organic slow release fertilizer
- Make sure it doesn't dry out completely while producing and cut back flower heads to save the plant's energy
Really, that's almost more than I do...and certainly, you can be more proactive with your rhubarb, if you like. The key is planting it in a place where the climate and site are conducive to growth. As with all plants, if you are working against mother nature, it will be a constant struggle. If you decide you want to try and be the best rhubarb grower ever, this is a site all about rhubarb...If you just want to grow some and have yummy baked goods, well, you can do that too!
Rhubarb is the plant that got me brewing ... when I discovered that I could use it 30-35 pounds at a time to make rhubarb mead! :)
Posted by: rose | May 05, 2009 at 07:09 AM
My grandma always grew rhubarb on the farm and while I never have liked it, my husband does. So I planted a "chunk" of it last week. I want to get a couple more starts to go with that one. It's a beautiful plant and I'm willing to make pie for my husband when I get to harvest some next year. And now you tell me I can make rhubarb bread? Now I'll bet I'd like that!
Posted by: Kylee from Our Little Acre | May 05, 2009 at 08:01 AM