Rhubarb In The Rain

After 2 days of wet weather, I was itching to play in the dirt this morning, so during a break in the rain I decided to fertilize my rhubarb. Ideally to get the most out of your plants, fertilize 3 times during the year. In the early spring, (March or April) is a good time before any growth begins and this I had done earlier when I applied some compost. Fertilize again just after the growth appears and at the end of the harvest season. The fertilizer should be worked well into the top of the soil and watered in. Compost on top will provide food over the dormant period in the winter. I sprinkled blood meal around each plant and watered in with some fish emulsion. I then spread a bucketful of compost around each plant and mulched with hay. I hope I didn't put up a "Diner Open" sign to the bears with the fish emulsion. I'll be very careful with it's use this year because I don't want to attract bears to Walter Bee. These are my 3 lovely plants. I'll follow their growth with my camera.

I have a recipe for an orange-rhubarb quick bread that I want to try with my first harvest. I'll pass the recipe along if the bread is good!

Cold Winter Days

It's 12:40 pm and our temperature is only 10. Two when we awoke this morning. It's supposed to be even colder tonight. The garden is brown and the bees are tight in their cluster. I hope the temperature warms over the next few days and I can see them flying again. I'll breathe a sigh of relief knowing they've made it through these extremely cold days and nights. The only thing green in the garden is the rosemary.

I'm going to order a mimosa tree and some horseradish from Stark Bro's this afternoon. One of my fondest childhood memories is the fragrance of the huge mimosa tree that grew in my grandparents yard. They had a big farm in Cleveland, Georgia and I loved it there. It broke my heart when they sold it. I was 16. I'm not sure how a mimosa will do in the mountains of WNC, but I'm going to give it a try. The catalogue says good in zones 5 - 10 and I'm in 6B. The hummingbirds will love it and hopefully the bees will, also.

I've grown horseradish before and although it can be invasive, I love the flavor of the freshly grated root. I'll give it a place of it's own to grow. I started a rhubarb bed last year, and the plants did quite well. Again, a dedicated bed because rhubarb is a long-lasting perennial.

I'm just rambling today because I'm bored. I think I'm going to have to learn to knit!