Rhubarb bolting

I’m glad your Rhubarb is coming up, so fun seeing the first sprouts of the year. My rhubarb is up and has already bolted, again! I have had them in the ground for at least seven years and it bolts every year. I did notice this year that they need to be separated, but this can’t be the reason for bolting the first few years. It can’t be the heat; we haven’t had any, lots of rain this year. The last two years I dumped a bit of steer manure on it to help improve the soil. I have no Idea what kind they are but I’m ready to toss them out and buy some other kind. Good news, we have a farmer nearby that grows wonderful rhubarb so I will have to buy from her.

Lanette Renda
Sheridan, Oregon

Rhubarb always bolts! The trick is to cut off the pointed, roundy flower bud and hollow stalk before it even gets going. You’ll have to do this often during the spring and late spring as it really wants to make seeds! When you cut off the flowering stalk, it causes the rhubarb to increase the strength and size of the stalks. If your stalks are still too small, I’d advise dumping a foot of rotted manure on the entire plant to cover an area about 3 feet in diameter or larger in the fall after it goes dormant. To help your plants now, side dress with rotted manure, keeping it away from the plant by at least four inches. Rhubarb is a heavy feeder.

To help your not-so-productive plants now, cut off the flowering stalks. Then really watch for more ready to emerge and cut them off. With side dressing with manure and sufficient watering, the plants should improve greatly. — Jackie

Saving potatoes and long-term food storage

I’ve just resubscribed after too many years, and my first issue included your “Saving Seeds” article. Thank you so much! As a rural boy (nor country, not urban), gardening is NOT my strong suit, but I see the storm clouds on the horizon, and wish to learn gardening, seed collection, and how to do self-long term food storage (i.e. canning, drying, etc.). Two questions: What the best way saving potatoes from one year (or longer) to the next? What resource(s) could help me learn how to can/dry food for long term storage?

Michael
Reading, PA

The best way to save whole potatoes is to keep them cool in storage (40 degrees is ideal), without light and with good humidity. I’ve found that keeping them in covered coolers or dark colored plastic storage totes in our unheated basement that stays 40 degrees in the winter and about 55 in the summer will allow us to keep potatoes in eating and planting condition from fall harvest one year all the way up until fall harvest the next! You can certainly save your own seed potatoes from these as long as your crops show no evidence of disease.

I’d really recommend picking up one of my books to help you both in your gardening and canning (Growing and Canning Your Own Food), available both through the blog and the magazine bookstore. Then pick up an inexpensive round, stacked tray dehydrator. These are available through most larger stores that stock canning and food preservation supplies. I’ve even seen them at WalMart. With the instruction booklet that comes with them, you’ll quickly be off towards dehydrating a lot of your own food. — Jackie

P.S. To help you even more, my new book (Jackie Clay’s Pantry Cookbook) on using your pantry and homegrown foods in tons of simple, tasty recipes will be coming out soon, also available through the magazine.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Daron,

    Yes, it is. Rhubarb always makes flowering stalks and to keep the plant producing tender stalks, you just cut them off as they appear.

    Jackie

  2. “Growing and Canning Your Own Food” is an excellent book! My favorite…and this is from a “gun-guy”. :)

    I too am looking forward to Jackie’s new book.

    The Ball Bluebook of Canning and Preserving is another “must have” book.

    *Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!*

  3. I’m confused about the bolting rhubarb issue. We have always cut the flowing stalk off, and continued to use the stalks. Is this not recommended?

  4. The Growing Your Own Food book is very helpful. I have learned so much and has helped me in problem situations too. Can’ t wait for the cook book. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and your garden looks great!

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