Force rhubarb for a sweet treat from the veg garden just when you need it most. Fruit can be thin on the ground at this time of year: the stored apples are almost finished and there's a long wait till the first berries appear in May. So tender, sweet forced rhubarb comes as a welcome early spring delicacy.
Choose an early variety and only force plants which are at least three years old and mature enough to cope. Rhubarb needs chilling to kick-start it into growth, so wait till there's been a lengthy spell of frost, and then upend a dustbin or terracotta rhubarb forcer over the crown – Block any holes or gaps to make sure no light can get in. If you can find some straw or fresh horse manure, heap it up round the outside for insulation and to speed up the forcing process.
After six to eight weeks, remove the cover and you should find dozens of pale pink, slender stems ready to harvest and turn into deliciously sweet crumbles and pies. After picking, allow the rhubarb to 'rest' for at least two years before forcing it again.
Prepare for the Spring
What to do in the garden in February:
The sap is rising and it’s time for early bird gardeners to get out and doing. There are veg seeds to sow, pruning to finish and a good tidy-up before the season ahead. Let’s get started!
Spread slow-release fertiliser like Fish Blood & Bone under hedges and around shrubs and trees
Top dress containers by scraping out the top couple of inches of compost and replacing with fresh
Put copper rings in place around emerging shoots to protect them from slug attacks
Repot container plants if they’ve become pot bound: move them into a pot one size up and backfill with fresh compost.
Plant lily bulbs in containers under cover now and move them outside onto the patio as they come into bud
Cover bare soil with clear polythene to warm it before spring sowing to get seeds off to a flying start
Start sowing hardy crops like beetroot and early carrots if the soil is warm enough – pop a cloche over the top to keep them cosy
Stock up on veg seeds / potatoes at Scalp Wood Nurseries just bring along your growing plan and we’ll supply the rest!