Forcing Rhubarb and mulching the rhubarb patch

I had a look under  a couple of the buckets that are covering the rhubarb plants that I am forcing and they are looking good. Each plant that has been covered is producing the tender pink stems that cost so much in the shops now. I am eagerly awaiting the day when I can take how the first sticks of rhubarb and turn them into a tasty treat of compote.

Rhubarb tips
Rhubarb that is forced this year should not be forced next year, use a different plant, give this years forced plants a rest from the covering up stage.

Rhubarb will benefit from a mulch of well rotted horse muck or from a mulch of home made compost.

Take care when it is time to pick your rhubarb as being heavy handed with it can damage the up and coming leaves and shoots. There is a knack to picking the stems and it is worth taking time to do it properly.

Now is the time to plan what vegetables seeds you will need to plant in March...

My first early and second early potatoes are in eggboxes or trays in a cool light airy place where there is no risk of frost they are beginning to chit. The first tiny shoots are beginning to push their way upwards.

I have to look through my seed collection this week and plan to soon buy any that I need that I do not have stored away.

I have bought a bag of shallot sets. I am now waiting for signs of an improvement in the weather before I can plant them.

Anything else?

• Turn the compost.
• Finish the job of preparing the area moving the raspberry canes to a better location.
• Check for signs of growth on the rhubarb and force as mentioned in an earlier post.
• Continue on fine days clearing and preparing the ground for next seasons crops.

That will keep me busy for now.

Rhubarb, a word about rhubarb...

If you have recently taken over an allotment look out for signs of rhubarb emerging soon.
The first year I had my plot I was thrilled to discover it coming through in an area that I had thought was just grass and weeds. I left mine where it was the first year and had a generous supply of rhubarb sticks that year. We had rhubarb and custard and rhubarb crumble on the menu quite a lot that year.

Last year because I dug some up and split and replanted most of the plants
I was unable to harvest from them so my crop was reduced. This year I am hoping for a good harvest as the replanted ones were treated to being planted in an area that had been enriched with well rotted horse manure.

If you wish to force rhubarb in your vegetable patch or on your allotment start to look for a suitable plant/plants and also something to cover it with.

To Force Rhubarb:

• Clear away any debris such as old leaves from around the plant crown.
• Place a few handfuls of dry straw over the plant.
• Cover it up with a large upturned bucket or dustbin. Or if you wish to make an attractive feature of it in your vegetable garden and money is no object buy a terracotta rhubarb forcer. (I would not risk this on an allotment).

The forced rhubarb should be ready in about eight weeks they will be tender young stems and the colour of them is wonderful.