Forcing Rhubarb – the early shoots of Spring

Forcing rhubarb is simple and is a great way to add fresh homegrown organic produce to the table during early Spring.

 

forcing rhubarb under a humble plastic pot

There is a little food in my garden at this time of year. The coldframes are full of salads – self-seeders and other leaves that have survived the winter snow in their protected environment. There's a few carrots left, spring onions and some cavollo nero and beetroot. We are still eating jams and preserves from last year and there is fruit frozen in the deep freeze, but there is nothing quite like the first rhubarb crop.

We celebrated it at Sunday supper when all the family meet and sit down and share food together.
Forcing rhubarb couldn't be easier. If your budget allows you can buy a lovely terracotta forcer hand made by a bespoke potter (in my dreams) but mine never has so I use a humble plastic pot. Just add manure that is still hot around the rhubarb crown when it is just starting to shoot above the ground. Place a pot that covers the small shoots (or two as I have above) and stick a brick on top to secure the (plastic) pot. Leave until you have enough of a crop to cook.

To read Maddy's rhubarb & mixed fruit crumble recipe please go to www.permaculture.co.uk