Rhubarb seed sown in the spring of 2017 germinated and the resultant seedlings were set out in the south facing market garden area. These rootstocks, dormant through the winter are now shooting out. Looking through the planted lines the variability of the seedlings can be seen by the rate of growth. One has developed voluminous leaf and stem area compared to several crowns that are still deliberating as to whether or not to burst into life. A good example of the vagaries found through a batch of seedlings. Traditional clay rhubarb forcers add interest to the winter garden and by excluding daylight give rise to extruded stalks for an early pulling of one of the finest early vegetables grown at home. When selecting which clump of Rhubarb to cover always choose the early shooting one as this will help force on growth producing the earliest crop.

Rhubarb March 2018