Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that’s perfect for both sweet and savoury dishes. Its striking red stalks and tart flavour make it a fantastic addition to any garden, offering a touch of vibrant colour and unique taste to your meals.
Where and When to Plant
• Location: Rhubarb thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers rich, well-drained soil.
• Timing: Plant in early spring or autumn. In warmer regions, autumn planting helps give the plants a strong start before the heat of summer.
How to Grow Rhubarb
• Starting Indoors: Begin sowing seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Use seed trays and keep them in a cool, dark area until they germinate.
• Direct Sowing: If you prefer direct sowing, plant seeds in early spring after the last frost. Space seeds about 12 inches apart and thin seedlings to 24-36 inches.
• Transplanting Crowns: For a faster start, plant crowns 24-36 inches apart in the garden.
Care Tips for Rhubarb
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Be careful not to overwater as rhubarb dislikes soggy soil.
• Fertilising: Feed plants with a balanced fertilizer in early spring, and boost growth with compost or well-rotted manure.
• Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
• Pruning: Remove any flower stalks that appear to encourage the plant to focus on producing stalks rather than flowers.
Harvesting and Storing Rhubarb
• Harvesting: Wait until the second year before harvesting to give the plant time to establish. When ready, only pick stalks that are at least 12 inches long, and leave a few stalks behind to maintain the plant's strength. The best time to harvest is late spring to early summer.
• Storage: Store harvested rhubarb stalks in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, wrapped in plastic, for up to two weeks. For long-term storage, wash, cut, and freeze the stalks.
Popular Rhubarb Varieties
• ‘Victoria’: A classic variety with deep red stalks and a sharp, tart flavour. Perfect for pies and sauces.
• ‘Crimson Cherry’: Known for its bright red, tender stalks and milder flavour.
• ‘Raspberry Red’: Features deep red stalks with a sweet-tart taste, ideal for desserts.
Simple Healthy Recipe: Rhubarb Strawberry Compote
Ingredients:
• 2 cups rhubarb, chopped
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, combine rhubarb, strawberries, and honey.
2. Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, until the rhubarb breaks down and the mixture thickens.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Let cool before serving.
Enjoy this delightful compote as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes!
Rhubarb is a hardy and versatile vegetable that will reward you with a bounty of delicious stalks each year. With a little care, you'll enjoy its tangy flavour in all sorts of dishes.
Happy gardening!
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