Home and garden: Rhubarb is an absolute spring delight
This article provides a comprehensive guide to growing rhubarb, highlighting it as an easy-to-grow perennial suitable for Ottawa gardens. Rhubarb, scientifically known as Rheum rhabarbarum, is described as relatively trouble-free regarding pests and diseases. The text emphasizes that while the stalks are edible and used in desserts, the leaves contain high levels of toxic oxalic acid and should not be consumed, though they can serve as effective mulch or compost. For planting, the author recommends using crowns or divisions rather than seeds to save time, ideally placing them in full sun or semi-shade with rich, well-drained soil. Proper spacing of 90 cm is advised to accommodate the plant's mature size. As heavy feeders, rhubarb plants benefit from annual applications of compost or aged manure. Harvesting should be delayed until the second year to ensure root establishment, with only two-thirds of the stalks taken to allow continued growth. The piece combines practical gardening advice with personal anecdotes, positioning rhubarb as a delightful and low-maintenance addition to home gardens.
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Home and garden: Rhubarb is an absolute spring delight
This article provides a comprehensive guide to growing rhubarb, highlighting it as an easy-to-grow perennial suitable for Ottawa gardens. Rhubarb, scientifically known as Rheum rhabarbarum, is described as relatively trouble-free regarding pests and diseases. The text emphasizes that while the stalks are edible and used in desserts, the leaves contain high levels of toxic oxalic acid and should not be consumed, though they can serve as effective mulch or compost. For planting, the author recommends using crowns or divisions rather than seeds to save time, ideally placing them in full sun or semi-shade with rich, well-drained soil. Proper spacing of 90 cm is advised to accommodate the plant's mature size. As heavy feeders, rhubarb plants benefit from annual applications of compost or aged manure. Harvesting should be delayed until the second year to ensure root establishment, with only two-thirds of the stalks taken to allow continued growth. The piece combines practical gardening advice with personal anecdotes, positioning rhubarb as a delightful and low-maintenance addition to home gardens.
Ottawa Citizen