Rhubarb

Rhubarb is one of those things that I grew up with.  When visiting a friend or relative with rhubarb I remember being given stalks for my brother and I to chew on.  To this day, I still love munching on the end of some wonderfully tart rhubarb.

my rhubarb in need of a trim again!

It may not be the most beautiful plant, but boy does it make me smile.  Those delicious red stalks and giant leaves.  Aunt S is always telling me I should make some stepping stones for my garden with the imprint of the giant leaves.  It is a wonderful idea, I just haven't got around to it yet!

When I bought my house I was quite happy to see that there was a little patch of rhubarb growing already.  Great!  It meant that it was one less thing to buy/find.  In my first summer, I actually split that plant into 2, and replanted.  Low and behold, the smaller portion that was moved to a new location went absolutely crazy!  It is in a great spot - right next to my rain barrels along the back of my house.  that means it gets lots of sun and lots of water.  Perhaps that is why its so happy there.

From the reading that I did, I was instructed to not harvest for the first year or two after planting.  Well that went totally out the window, when by the end of the first year I had a huge plant that needed to be cut back!

Now I should note that I have since split the new plant for another Aunt, and it definitely has not done as well at her house.  Not that it doesn't get enough sun or water - it just seems to love the spot in my yard.  Or maybe its the annual addition of alpaca poo that gives it a boost.

So every year I cut it back at regular intervals throughout the spring & summer to make desserts, pass along to relatives (who also love rhubarb), and freeze for the long winter.  Favorites with rhubarb include:

Fruit crisp - I love the mix of tart rhubarb with fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, whatever you have on hand!)
Oatmeal squares with rhubarb sauce - think granola bars with rhubarb filling!
Rhubarb pie
Rhubarb coffee cake

So here is to all you rhubarb lovers out there!