Gardener to Farmer

Yes, folks, it is time for my annual love fest with rhubarb. I can get a bit crazy about it...declaring my never ending love, creating sonnets, that sort of thing. And believe me, there is no way this season will go by without some wacky display. Yesterday, I started posting rhubarb recipes on Portland Foodie, and you can expect more to follow. And today I am inspired to share the love...I want to tell southern gardeners that yes, you CAN grow rhubarb.

Here's a bit of information I found on growing rhubarb as an annual. The process is very similar to growing peas in warmer climates:

"Rhubarb can be grown as an annual from seed in areas that have a cool season (like a cool winter in the southern parts of the US). Plant seeds in nursery pots, transplant outside when the plants about 3-4" tall. Harvest stalks as they mature. Be careful to not over water it as rhubarb can get root rot if the ground is too wet. ECHO ("Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization") has claimed good luck with planting rhubarb seed in August and harvesting in March-May. Seed grown rhubarb will have fewer plants with the intense red color stems we are used to, but tasting a pie grown from subtropical rhubarb can help one overlook that quickly! You will probably get a mix of plant colors ranging from green through pink with a few plants with red or partly red stems. The variety Victoria is extremely productive. Seeds can be purchased from Park Seed Co. Greenwood South Carolina, USA."

via www.rhubarbinfo.com

Another method that Amy Pollman of Oklahoma City uses:

"I am growing mine in pots and is doing great. When it gets real hot they go under the pecan tree. I have had one plant for 2 years now and just planted 2 more two weeks ago."

I had another friend in Oklahoma that grew them on the east side of her gazebo...morning sun only. The plant seemed very happy!

Alright southerners, let's see you plant some rhubarb! Send me questions, pictures and progress!

***Also, don't forget to check out our sponsor: MasterGardening.com, head over and enter "FLOWER" at checkout to get 10% off!

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!

Ode –noun