[ron]

hello there people.I have on my allotment large quantities of rhubarb which other holders seem to like !as the new chap on the block im a bit of a novice , I have noticed that the rhubarb is getting thinner in its girth so to speak   but just as long ,its not a red colour just green is it ok and can I pick it.

[richyrich7]

Yes it should be Ron, Sounds as if you rhubarb needs a good feed, plenty of manure in the autumn should do the trick.

Is it an established bed ? you might want to ease off on the picking, tell the others GYO you could always offer to sell/trade them a crown or two in the autumn.

And welcome to the forum Ron

[ron]

CHEERS FOR THAT  

[WG.]

Hi ron and welcome

[ron]

hi there people well my greenhouse is now up on my plot what would you suggest i grow from seed now, ive put my tomatoe plants in and a cucumber, ive done some spinach and some rocket seeds is it too late for me to try a melon plant or are they to hard to grow what do you suggest.

[flowerlady]

You still have time to get some brassicas going that will overwinter for early spring picking .. ie cauliflowers, PSB - purple sprouting broccoli and white SB, kales, cabbages sprouts etc ... most will allow you to sow in June early July ... that's what I am doing too    

... Those in the north may say that I have left things too late but so far we have had very mild winters (which opens me up to other problems which I won't go into here !!)_

Other things to sow now ... salads, spring onions, carrots, beetroot, small turnips, chards, spinaches, sugarsnap and mange tout peas and even french beans ... mind you I am in the south in Herts so that might give me the edge !!  

[flowerlady]

btw ... with your rhubarb ... chop it up and brew it ... good stuff ... the guys here will be you the recipee I'm sure ... if not I have one  

... do you have goosegogs for wine and icecream too  

[Little Miss Muffet]

on the subject of rubarb.
whats best to take a bit off another plant and grow or do it from seed.if you did it from seed how long  untill you would be able to eat it

[DD.]

on the subject of rubarb.
whats best to take a bit off another plant and grow or do it from seed.if you did it from seed how long  untill you would be able to eat it

Wait until late autumn/early spring. The 'crown' (big tuberous roots), can then be split & divided.

Plant them with plenty of manure & off you go!

[Little Miss Muffet]

thanks dd my dad has a mature rubarb plant and we were hoping to get it off there.when we moved in to are new house there was a old tin bath in the garden which we thought would be perfect for rubarb

[ron]

thanks for the rubarb tips eveyone ,I might try the wine ?mmm. and yes about the gooseberry bushes I have about 5 which I have to cover so the pigeons cant get to them,plus eveythink else that grows. I have another question I like pickled beetroot but how do you  cook it???

[GrannieAnnie]

I just boil OH's beetroot long and slowly til they are nice and tender, leave til cool, then just take the skin off, it rubs off very easily.  Leave the root and the stalk bit on while cooking, or they bleed too much and aren't as tasty.

[ron]

thanks grannieanne,I will try that now