My first edibles!

[Muddy Sarah]

Spent a lovely few hours down on the lottie today, in the glorious sun! While I was there I thought I'd better investigate the rhubarb that the last tenant left. I've neglected it for months, and had hoped that it might sort of start to die off, but it has been growing like crazy and I now have a large basketful of lovely looking stuff to take round to my parents (I don't really like rhubarb, and there's so much of it I'd never use it all). This is the first edible (other than a small handful of rassies when I first took it on last autumn) that I've actually had, and I'm feeling very proud of myself, even though I've contributed nothing to making it grow!!

When I've trimmed it and given it a bit of a wash, I'll post a pic so I can remember this in future (sad, I know)!!!

Sarah

[TPeers]

Congratulations! I always enjoy the plants that need the least care! If you really want to get rid of the rhubarb, you might do better by looking after it - it never dies from neglect as far as I know.

Is it the flavour or the tartness that you don't like? If it is just the tartness try rhubarb sorbet - it usually comes up fairly sweet. As a cooking method baking gives a sweeter result that boiling.

You could always make wine with it all!

Enjoy

Terry

[rustylady]

Have you tried home grown rhubarb, Sarah? If you pick the sticks when young and tender they are far superior to the two inch thick stems you used to get stewed with custard.

[madderbat]

Congratulations Sarah. We have three rhubarb plants and were just given two more today, but they are nowhere near ready to eat yet.
You can make rhubarb wine if you don't like eating it, but have you tried picking a young stick and dipping it in a paper bag with a bit of sugar in, while you sit in a tree? Memories of childhood!!!

[serenity]

Can't believe you guys are eating rhubarb already. I have just been down to check on mine and its about 1 inch high . Is it worth trying to force it, never done this before but I have a large 40l back bucket which I could cover it with.

[TPeers]

Gave up my patch with the old lottie haven't got any now. The OH is allergic, so probably shouldn't grow any here I don't want to have to rush off to A&E with him!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Can't believe you guys are eating rhubarb already. I have just been down to check on mine and its about 1 inch high . Is it worth trying to force it, never done this before but I have a large 40l back bucket which I could cover it with.

Do different varieties of rhubarb grow earlier than others?

I had a few sticks about 10" long off one of our inherited plants 2 weekends ago, but only off one plant - the others were hardly buds, and other people's rhubarb plants at the Hill only have buds showing now.

[pigletwillie]

Its moments like that Sarah that makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

[rustylady]

Yes, some varieties are earlier than others - hence names such as Timperley Early. You can also force rhubarb by covering with a sealed upside down pot or bucket (usually packed with straw to insulate and keep warm) - you can also buy special rhubarb forcers at exorbitant prices. Forced rhubarb grows fast, is tender and sweet, but you should never force the same crown every year as this will weaken it. If you have 3 crowns (or plants), then force one a year, leaving the other 2 to grow naturally - the rhubarb from these is just as good, just not as early. Never leave the "sticks" to get really big or they will be sour and tough, and never keep picking right through the summer, the plants need leaves to develop to feed the roots (crowns) for the next year.

[Snadger]

Must try the Rhubarb Scnapps recipe this year!
Tried the sloe gin and it was ok but the Chillie vodka was a bit of a failure!

I've got high hopes for the Scnapps though!

[Mrs Dobby]

Congrats on the harvest Sarah!

We;ve alreasy had two hauls of rhubarb this year, both of which made fab rhubarb crumble! I'm hoping to get some more on Tuesday (day off) cos one of the other female managers loves rhubarb, and I'd like to surprise her with some at the managers meeting on wednesday!

[Nicos]

My Timperley Early is ready for cropping whilst all the others are just showing their first buds.
Problem is....got about a years supply in the freezer!!!!
Rhubarb Schnapps ...here we go again!!!!
( champagne quality -no doubt!!! )

[pigletwillie]

I have 4 litres of smirnoff export strength (50%) that came back duty free from Egypt las t october, just for that purpose Nicos. I think the first batch will be going in the demijohns in about a fortnight or so.

[Nicos]

Oh piglet.....when can I come and visit?????....

[Sue]

Muddy Sarah
What sun!!! it was freezing today and after a sunny start had left of a layer of thermals and boy was that a mistake
from Sue in Kent where the rhubarb is still thinking about growing

Just jealous, enjoy your harvest and the sun...
Sue