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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3131 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 5:23 pm Post subject: What to plant. |
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The weather is now very mild 13 degrees today.
You could start topping the grass and put on lawn feed and moss killer.
Time to start forcing the Rhubarb by covering with bucket or something fancy if you have the money.
Sow Onion seed inside now
Finish off pruning the roses.
Cut back all your perennials and mulch the beds. |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hi there,
Does forcing rhubarb make them grow faster?
I have a rhubarb in the polytunnel and it grows perfectly.
Fionn. _________________ FionnG |
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Blowin Rank attained: Vegetable garden tender
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 930 Location: Drimoleague, Co Cork
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:39 am Post subject: |
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The principle is, FionnG, that, as soon as the growth pokes through the surface, its main aim is to absorb sunlight. By putting some sort of cover over it, it uses all its root power to shoot up faster than usual in an attempt to find it. So, you get an earlier crop and the sticks tend to be very tender because of the speed at which they've grown.
In the North East of the UK there's a prime rhubarb growing area where the commercial growers dig up their roots, some weighing half a ton I'm told, and move them into large sheds where they keep them in the dark and maximise the crop. _________________ A novice gardener on newly cultivated, stoney ground. |
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FionnG Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 53 Location: Tipperary
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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Ok thank you for your reply.
I Will get a metal/plastic bin and put it ontop,
Of the rhubarb tomorrow.
How often should I water the rhubarb if I do that?
And how long do you keep it covered for?
This is my plants 3rd season.
Thank you,
Fionn. |
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Sue Deacon Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 2029 Location: West Fermanagh
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:31 pm Post subject: |
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Blowin wrote: | In the North East of the UK there's a prime rhubarb growing area where the commercial growers dig up their roots, some weighing half a ton I'm told, and move them into large sheds where they keep them in the dark and maximise the crop. | You can HEAR them growing! There are soft popping sounds as the leaves unfurl.
I just put a large bucket or pot over one plant. It does take a bit out of the plant so I cover a different one each year. I don't usually water as there is usually enough rain. But all the plants (5, 3 very old and 2 new) get generous dollops of well rotted donkey poo. _________________ Be humble, for you are made of earth
Be noble, for you are made of stars |
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Blowin Rank attained: Vegetable garden tender
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 930 Location: Drimoleague, Co Cork
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Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 6:58 am Post subject: |
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By the time cropping season comes round, I'm told the rootstock already has what it needs (a bit like a charged battery) and it's this that enables the big growers to lift their huge roots out of the ground altogether. In fact, I usually pile compost etc. on top as soon as the foliage dies back at the end of summer and this feeds it over the winter. I'd be very surprised if any Irish soil needs watering at this time of year but there's no harm done if you take your cover off to check for growth, then put it back, but don't forget that you're applying unnatural pressure on your plant, so it's best to leave it off altogether once you've enjoyed a first feed or two of 15-16 inch sticks.
Put a note in your diary for 1 September to apply nutrients? _________________ A novice gardener on newly cultivated, stoney ground. |
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