Rhubarb has been a staple on many farms for generations. There was a time when all farms had a large plot designated just for this crop. As farms have died down and the garden plots have disappeared, rhubarb is harder to buy.
photo credit: ilovemypit

Rhubarb has many uses, both as an edible fruit and herbal uses. The root can even be used to naturally lighten your hair and cover gray. It also looks nice in perennial gardens offering lush green leaves and bright red stems.

I put in a rhubarb patch around eight years ago. If you prepare your patch properly rhubarb is easy to grow.

Rhubarb needs fertile soil that will drain well. I prepared my patch by adding compost and some sand (I have rocky and clay in my soil).  I dug the soil about 10 inches deep and added the compost. I later added sand. After planting rhubarb crowns that had been given to me I watered them well and ignored the patch. To keep the weeds down I applied a thick layer of straw. This patch has supplied a steady source of rhubarb for friends and family.

Rhubarb does better if it is divided every four or five years. I divided my patch three years ago and doubled my plants easily. This year I again divided the plants and gave many plants away to friends. You divide the roots of the plants and set back in the ground with the rhubarb crown even with the soil. Fall is the best time to divide the plants.

Rhubarb is a cool weather plant so its does well if you plant is near a side of a building for shade in the warmer months. Also, if you keep it picked and do not allow a seed head to grow you can harvest rhubarb all summer long.
photo credit: dconlon

Rhubarb and be canned or frozen. If you’re not familiar with rhubarb you use the stem. The leaves can be toxic. Rhubarb can be canned or frozen. It makes great cobbler or jam. Cooked rhubarb that has been cooled is  one of our favorite treats on those  warm  fall nights.

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I always put off those last minute clean up jobs until the snow is about to fly. We have had one snow and I know next week will bring more so I have been getting those tasks done this week. This is more of a task in a zone 5 garden area that can accumulate large snow falls but every gardening region needs certain winter chores to be done.

My garden tools are all cleaned and hung up, except for three, which I am still using. It’s important to get the dirt off your tools and to oil the handles. Cleaning the dirt off prevents rust and oiling the handle keeps it smooth and prevents wood slivers and cracks.

Most of my shrubs are mulched and one garden needs a final mulch cover, which I hope to do Monday. I do tie two of my shrubs with twine to prevent the heavy snows from breaking limbs. You may want to tie evergreen shrubs or use burlap or a wooden frame around them. It is also a wise idea for newly planted shrubs.

I started mulching my gardens with straw and leaves about four years ago. It keeps the soils moist and soft and makes digging the new garden easier. Usually I just work the mulch into the ground in early spring with a “Garden Claw” and I can easily plant peas and early crops.  My soil has improved and it’s made for easier gardening.

I finished my last mowing of the yard for this year, a 13-hour task. I like the grass mowed as late as possible. It prevents snow mold and makes mowing for the first time in the spring easier.

All that’s left to do it work in the last perennial garden, winterize the porches and rake the last leaves, which I will add to the compost pile them cover for the season. Now I am prepared for another gardening season!

As winter tries to creep in there are still a few gardening chores that need to be done. If you haven’t planted the last of your perennials and shrubs you need to get that done this week. At least you do in NW PA.
photo credit: cliff1066

It’s also important to cover garden areas and around plants and shrubs to protect the ground. If the frost gets into the ground too deeply around newly planted plants, shrubs and trees the frost will either damage the roots or raise the plant out of the ground. A ground cover will also keep the soil moist and soft and help with earlier plantings for the next garden season.

Compost, straw, and mulch are some of the best ground covers for the winter. I use compost around plants that need a boost of nutrients, straw around established plants, shrubs and trees. Mulch is used more for older trees and problem areas in the yard.

Here are a few ideas for getting ground covers for free or very cheap.

• Make you own compost from grass clipping, straw, leaves and table scraps.
• Call your local township for free leaves.
• Mulch can often be found for free at parks, from tree companies or local townships
• Farms often have old straw or damaged bales that they will give to you or sell for a discount.

It’s always nice to save money for landscaping and gardening when you can. It’s money you can use for new plants and other landscaping plans.

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