Do you know this plant?  Hilda gave it to me years ago.  It's rhubarb!!  And that protrusion at the top is its flower bud.  Rhubarb is valued for the succulent stems, not the blossoms, but I just love seeing plants bloom!

 

Rhubarb is a northern perennial.  It likes cool weather, and suffers a little during our hot summers.  But these have been doing fine since I planted them.  It's about time to divide the plants, so let me know if you'd like some.

 

Jon likes to make a sauce with the stems.  Tear off the leaves, they are NOT edible.  They are beyond inedible, the leaves are TOXIC.  Wash and cut the red stems into one inch pieces.  Then cook them for about 20 minutes in a little bit of orange juice.  By a little bit, I mean a couple tablespoons.  When it is the consistency of apple sauce, add a dollop of orange marmalade.  Some people add sugar, but we don't like it too sweet.  It's good as a side dish, just like apple or cranberry sauce.  Oh yeah!!!  Sometimes he adds cranberries into the pot for a tart blend.  I don't eat ice cream, but I bet it would be good on top of vanilla.

 

Don't you love Spring things?  Keep looking, there are signs of spring everywhere!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!