Sometimes I wonder if some of the blog reader think I fell off the turnip truck this morning. I do know that rhubarb is a perennial in most parts of the country but not in this part. Believe me, I do my research on most everything I plant. There are many places on the internet that talk about growing rhubarb in this area. From this site:
In these northern gardens it is grown as a perennial and harvested from late spring through summer,
depending on the location. Southern gardeners who have purchased plants (dormant roots) or otherwise tried to
grow this vegetable as a perennial have failed dismally as the infernal heat of summer combines with fungal
rot organisms to deal it a fatal blow.
Yes, my asparagus was planted from roots . . not seeds! I didn’t realize there were 6 or 8 roots in each bag. I thought there were only 2. There were 2 roots in the horseradish package and I guess that’s what I was thinking.
This morning I planted 36 asparagus plants, 4 horseradish roots and 45 strawberry plants so I don’t think we’ll ever have to buy asparagus again once we’re able to start harvesting our asparagus.
Becky G says
Ohhh, yummo! fresh horseradish is such a REVELATION! I love it on roasted beets (which I think you will have aplenty!) I put fresh horseradish and dill in creme friache, mix it into the beets & serve cold. Have fun!
Karen says
yes here in Arkansas I have been surprised when some people say their rhubarb comes back every year, I have tried it several times and it never does for me. I content myself with buying it from the store and get enough to freeze several bags so it will last me a little while.
We always had it in the north – nice big plants!
Karen
Cathy S says
I love reading your blog and learning new things. Very strange to think that something that is perennial here, is an annual there. And here I thought it was cold that made things annuals. I am assuming that a lot of stuff that we have in Ontario Canada as annuals, would be perennials in Texas. Sometimes I wonder how we survive winter, let alone our garden plants. LOL!!! I must confess to be happy to see spring coming.
JudyL says
Just moving from Louisiana to Kentucky and then to Missouri and now to Texas, it’s pretty surprising how different plants behave with the different climates. I can imagine how different growing seasons must be in Canada.
In MO, we didn’t usually plant tomatoes til around Mother’s Day. Before I ever got mine planted, my dad in Louisiana would call and tell me his tomatoes were blooming and I’d get so frustrated.
Folks think we have a super long growing season because we can plant so early but we do not. By late June or early July, things will be burning up here due to the extreme heat and drought.
Another thing – I couldn’t grow gardenias or camelias in KY or MO and I’m happy I can grow both those again now, though the deer would get the camelias.
CJ says
Heck Judy, I’m amazed at how different the growing season is from Missouri to Arkansas! I still haven’t figured it out. Texas would totally baffle me.
Karol says
rhubarb needs cold to produce well. It’s good to minus 20 F at least. I have some here in Oregon. Wish I had room for more. Have always loved it. Home in N. D. I think most farmers had a row of it and in towns people had it in their back yards. I give rhubarb jam as gifts and people just wait for it. 😉
Dar says
Karol, I could send you my address to put on your “gift list” for the rhubarb jam. tee hee 🙂 I haven’t had any since I was a youngster and my gramma made it on the farm. That’s been so long I almost forgot what it tastes like.
CindyM says
I know rhubarb has to have a really cold winter to be a perernnial… I was surprised to see that it even grows in warmer climates. I think my mom’s asparagus plants and rhubarb plants were close to 50 years old and still going before she died. Of course then my younger brother and his family live on that farm now and I’m guessing it’s all been destroyed. So sad and disrespectful. yes… you’ll have enough asparagus! It is so yummy, though! Like fresh tomatoes… when it’s peaking, I can eat it 3 meals a day.
Suzanne says
My husbands family grew horseradish in wood bins in the ground to keep the roots from growing out of control-I guess they spread easily!
They also always ground the roots outside so the wind would carry away the smell and their eyes wouldn’t string! Good luck- your farm life sounds wonderful.
Chris Miller at the Resort says
Nothing like horseradish to clear the sinuses!!
Here in north Idaho we never plant until after Mother’s Day, and the last few years, even then has been too early. Our country is sooo huge and climates vary so. Hopefully we each love the part where we live.
Got my Loopy Ewe order yesterday! They are FAST! Dan helped me wind the first skein last night and I plan to start on it today. I’m trying to decide if I want to try a new pattern… or chicken out and use the plain one.
Diana in TX says
Interesting about the rhubarb. Makes sense when you think about it. I know I tried to raise some zuchinni when we lived in Taiwan. Same thing, too hot and there it was to much humidity where we were. So if we got hungry for something with zuchinni in it, I would pay more for it than they ever thought of charging for it stateside, of course thinking all the time how we couldn’t give it away when living in PA! I buy my rhubarb in the store when ever they get it in, put some in the freezer for strawberry/rhubarb pie etc.
Becky says
Hello, Make sure you plant that horseradish all by itself where it can not take over. it is very aggressive. Now, I know why we never had rhubarb as kids, too hot. have a great patch now in NNY.
Doreen says
Yes, our rhubarb here (S.E. MN) is awesome! Our horseradish is planted in a concrete ring that is sunk in the ground with sod around it! Invasive doesn’t even begin to describe it!!!!
Regina says
So interesting how plants change their habits in different climates…. our rhubarb is up now and nearly ready for that first harvest – hubby wants to use it to make beer this year! Will see how that goes!
Doe in Mi says
Gees Judy sorry I offended you. Guess I’m the one on the turnip truck! The rhubard in Michigan always comes up beautifully every year and I just thought it did that everywhere. You thaught me a lesson today.
myrna sossner says
OOOH, asparagus! When I was living in New York City and participating in a community garden, we planted asparagus one year. The “leader” of the garden informed us on exactly how to plant it and the care and feeding for it. We carefully followed his instructions and waited, and waited, and waited. We never saw a single sprout that year or anytime. It was a wonderful grden in many ways but this was the biggest disappointment. We never did find out what went wrong! And we never tried asparagus again.