Rhubarb - not forced, growing away.

I only said to my husband yesterday that we ought to grow more rhubarb as we both love it. The forced rhubarb in the shops looks so insipid compared to yours.

My OH likes it more than I do, I eat it but prefer sweeter fruits - I do not dislike it in crumble though as I always sweeten it loads (not that I should) lol. I know what you mean about the forced rhubarb, it is so pale looking. This one (I have no idea why) grows very early, and keeps going for ages and ages. Lucky us. lol

I sweeten ours too, in quite large amounts to be honest!!! I use syrup!

thank goodness for someone else with a sweet tooth Wildrose. :O)

very good sign !!

I've given it up....too much sugar needed! It looks beautiful!

I know Karen, but I only have a little portion (lol) so I do not count it. lol. I lie like heck also. lol.

I know Paul, it makes me happy when things start to regrow and the garden starts to bloom again. :O)

It looks lovely, Barbara! I sweeten mine with Splenda because OH is diabetic. I think I'd prefer sugar but I'm used to it now. And it does lighten the calorific load!

Melchi I am diabetic (type 2) but I just cannot get on with isweetener in crumble, I sweeten custard with a sweetner substitute so I tell myself the little I have doesn't do me any harm. I really ought to start and count calories as the winter shut up without exercise has played havoc with my large figure. lol. Ah well now I am back out gardening I shall lose a little I am sure. :o)

Looks Yummy already B...

I'm sure a little sugar is ok, Barbara. OH is very strict with his diet, but he does have very small treats occasionally and he is always being congratulated when he has his check-ups. You would know if you were doing anything wrong! Fortunately, he is not at all put off by sugar substitutes. I haven't got a very sweet tooth, so I don't mind, but I can often detect a slight aftertaste with some of them. And don't mention the need to lose a bit of the padding, please!!!

Thanks Crissue it does and it is growing fast even with the very cold nights we are getting here.

I know how he feels Melchi, it is good when you get a good report, I have even cut down on my medication because I am so well controlled. Great to here he is on top of it, although I suspect that you have a lot to do with how he eats. lol. Us ladies know just how much and how little to use with the calorie counting, trouble is I like my food very much. lol. If I have to count calories I can be really strict with myself but my head has to be in the right frame for that sort of thing. I can stick to a strict diet when I really have to, which isn't that far away. lol.

That is exactly my experience with dieting, Barbara. If I can switch the switch in my head I am brilliant at it. (Mind you, the fact that I can even say that shows that my efforts don't last as well as they might, which is precisely what experts say about diets. But what's the answer? ) I am pretty healthy and active, so I suppose it has more to do with vanity than anything else!!!

Hi, Barbara, just seen your blog re;rhubarb and diets lol! I live very near to what used to be known as 'the rhubarb triangle' and it's well known in these parts for rhubarb to appear very early in the year or even late...depending on which way you look at it.
I was interested to read that you and others have to watch your diet due to being diabetic and I was wondering if you've heard of the 5-2 diet? I'm on it myself, just to lose some weight, but it has lots of other health benefits including help with a diabetic diet problem. Dr Michael Mosley is responsible for the original idea and you can find out all about it on the Web. Just thought I'd mention it.
Incidentally your Rhubarb looks good and healthy, just watch it doesn't spread too much. I ended up digging mine up as the area it was taking up was huge! Happy crumble making :)

thanks for the information Waddy, will try and have a look for that diet. The rhubarb is enclosed in its own little area so it cannot go far. lol. It is probably a good job because since I took this picture it must have grown six inches, soon be making crumble. lol. :O)

Used to pinch stalks from a neighbour's, (as a 6yr old, I hasten to add). Runs & hidings galore.
Ah, fond memories!
Just the rhubarb-not the rest, you understand, lol.

lol :O) memories - the rhubarb has been stopped in it stride with the last two days of freezing cold temperatures and snow. But it does feel a little milder today only a little so hoping it is on its way out now. :O)

We've actually had a fair bit of sun, here, today.
Call me a fool, but I'm optomistically daydreaming about sowing a few seeds directly onto the soil on Saturday!
What am I like?! Lol.

That's exactly what I was contemplating today when I was looking at a display of seed packets, Mouldy. I had a great gardening afternoon in the sunshine, but I didn't sow any seeds after all.

I just want to get stuck in, instead of waiting about for the weather to make up it's fickle mind.

Still bitterly cold down here, but sun is shining at last which is a big bonus. Frosty nights with sunny days even if it is cold are great to have. Hoping it eventually gets warmer but forecast for next week is still cold. I hope it is changing for the better soon as I am sure everyone on here is. No way I shall get any seeds sown yet as the ground is solid this morning again. Hope you have a great weekend whether you are able to sow seeds or not. :O)

Frustrating morning - drizzle every time I decided it had cheered up just enough to get out. But it cleared up in the early afternoon and I had a good hard-working session. I am getting quite impatient now. I really am ready for some SUN! Oh dear - it's still only March, isn't it? ;-)

Yeah, thought as much...more snow on it's way for Glasgow.
Oh, well, time to carry on seeding plugs & pots. :-(

Well - today I bought a packet of sweet peas, inspired by seeing Monty sow his. So I'm going to get on with them - not outside, though.

I sowed a wee tray of sweetpeas five days ago & they are now 2" tall!
I'd expected them to take a couple of wks, at least.
Now I'm asking myself if the guy who sold them to me was called Jack...

Lol! That'll give you a whole new perspective on your garden!

At the rate they're growing (almost twice as high as yesterday, I kid you not, Melchisedec!) I'll not need stairs. Lol.

Lol ...again!

We got snow again last evening, about half an inch but it is thawing quite quickly at the moment. Garden is stood in water again, no chance of getting out to do any work on it ah well a trip to a g.c. I suppose will be in order. Hope you are all managing to keep warm and dry and not suffering too much snow.

Mouldy hope those sweetpeas flower well for you, I love sweetpeas, grew them last year but was disappointed that they did not have the strong perfume I recall from my younger days.

Happy Gardening if you manage to get out there. :O)

Thanks, Olive, I'm living in hope. XD

I bought a book from a charity shop, yesterday, Olive, which says that the blue or blue-tinged flowered strains, in particular Noel Sutton & Leamington have powerful scent. :-)
Incidently, how's your poor rhubarb?

thank you for that Mouldy, might give them a try again. The Rhubarb is all but ready for crumble. lol. did think about it but thought if I pull it it will be all gone until it starts to grow again so decided not to destroy the lovely colour and forgo my taste buds. lol. Hope you are enjoying your gardening. Bit warmer down here but not much. We had a tiny drop of rain last evening, more hopefully to save me watering, today later on.

I feel sorry for my wee babies, cooped up in the flat.
It was only a wee while back that they all had that jaunt in the garden.
The temperature has definately risen, but there's still early frosts & viscious winds. :-(