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Rhubarb Resurrection

I've been trying to grow rhubarb in New Hampshire for about 8 years. Most folks don't "try" to grow this stuff, it grows on its own. I must have crummy soil, because my plants shrink and die each year. So in 2010, I started over with a raised bed into which I added a garden potting mix with slow-release nitrogen and some plant treats: dried cow manure!
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  • My rhubarb as of May, 2007. In 2004 this was a 2x2 grid. In 2006 I expanded to 3x3 with a few new plants (the largest ones shown here). Already you can see the middle right plant is laughably small.

    My rhubarb as of May, 2007. In 2004 this was a 2x2 grid. In 2006 I expanded to 3x3 with a few new plants (the largest ones shown here). Already you can see the middle right plant is laughably small.

  • Fast forward to June, 2010. The 3x3 grid has now been reduced to 4 minuscule plants. Enter Brian and Kyle, who helped me repair my bathroom.

    Fast forward to June, 2010. The 3x3 grid has now been reduced to 4 minuscule plants. Enter Brian and Kyle, who helped me repair my bathroom.

  • The raised bed will be slightly south of the current rhubarb patch. It's on a slope so Brian has to carve into the landscaping.

    The raised bed will be slightly south of the current rhubarb patch. It's on a slope so Brian has to carve into the landscaping.

  • Kyle is cutting up the 4x4.

    Kyle is cutting up the 4x4.

  • Assembling the bed, upside down.

    Assembling the bed, upside down.

  • Cedar or redwood would have been prettier, at least for a while. Sadly the Lowe's in Concord had cedar but not in 4x4 cuts. And they didn't have any redwood lumber that we could find.

    Cedar or redwood would have been prettier, at least for a while. Sadly the Lowe's in Concord had cedar but not in 4x4 cuts. And they didn't have any redwood lumber that we could find.

  • 24 cubic feet of space for soil that will be fully under my control. Let's hope I do this right.

    24 cubic feet of space for soil that will be fully under my control. Let's hope I do this right.

  • One of my old rhubarb plants sent up a seed stalk. My mom was alarmed when I told her this: "Get rid of it! That plant is committing suicide!"

    One of my old rhubarb plants sent up a seed stalk. My mom was alarmed when I told her this: "Get rid of it! That plant is committing suicide!"

  • I put in 11 bags of this mix plus a half-bucket of cow manure.

    I put in 11 bags of this mix plus a half-bucket of cow manure.

  • The project to build the bed was made urgent when a friend of mine showed up with a new plant the week before this project began. Two more plants were bought from the same place. Peter and I had a few mishaps figuring out how to get the new plants out of their plastic pots.

    The project to build the bed was made urgent when a friend of mine showed up with a new plant the week before this project began. Two more plants were bought from the same place. Peter and I had a few mishaps figuring out how to get the new plants out of their plastic pots.

  • The finished bed with the 3 new plants in place. I will transfer the old plants to the bed as well.

    The finished bed with the 3 new plants in place. I will transfer the old plants to the bed as well.

  • Old and new.

    Old and new.

  • Let's hope these plants look this good in 2013. Check back!

    Let's hope these plants look this good in 2013. Check back!

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