I really must try that rhubarb recipe. When I was a kid we had 1-week school outings. And every lunch, wherever we were, there was rhubarb. The taste was so horribly acid that it put me off for years (and I never had a sweet tooth).
Yes, absolutely it is even easy to grow here in California where in the summer the temperatures reach to 105 and up in the summertime! It’s such a versatile plant which you can use for sweet dishes to savory sour dishes. Or just eat it the fresh stake like I used to do when I was a kid. 😋
My grandparents came from Germany and Russia and it was a big part of our summer and winter cuisine.
That’s good to know. I thought the drier climate there might hinder its growth. It gets really hot here in the summer too, but it’s very humid too That’s interesting you ate it raw like that. I haven’t tried that yet. DS’s family is from Russia/Poland/Hungary, so he grew up with it too.
My German grandparents moved to the central coast of California from North Dakota in the early 50’s. They successfully grew it in their garden in Atascadero. That is where when I was a kid growing up I would always eat tge stalks. We moved to the central inland part of California and the 60s and my sister started growing up when she had her first home in the late 60s. She grew her rhubarb from my grandparents garden and that’s the rhubarb I have today! I am not sure why it grows so well. I grow it on the north side of our house like she did diminishing the effects is sunlight and heat.
I noticed that before CV it was always for sale at Home Depot and Lowe’s and I haven’t seen it since. I’m so happy I still have it.
I planted artichoke last year, here in the north country. I had to start them early, in February indoors, then put them outside in 40F weather for two weeks to trigger the fruiting cycle. I left them in the ground, covered them with a lot of wood chips, hoping they will come back next year. They would not make it through an historical winter, but last year the ground did not freeze, and this year we only really had two weeks of hard cold.
I pray they come up for you, William! One year when we had an uncharacteristically long freeze (for our area — 2 weeks), ours died back and did not return that spring/summer. But, they shot right up the next year!
The first year fruit was not very satisfying. I am hoping the more mature plants are more satisfying, but not too optimistic they will return. I will celebrate if they do though!
Did you plant Jerusalem artichokes, specifically? We have both globe and Jerusalem varieties and I prefer the Jerusalem. It’s also supposed to be hardier for both very hot/humid and quite cold weather environments.
Hmmm as @Leona pointed out above, the globes are different from the Jerusalem variety. Maybe see if you can find any Jerusalem artichokes in your area..,
Not sure about the Globe artichoke picture under the Jerusalem artichoke notes. A Jerusalem artichoke is a tuber, related to the sunflower and has yellow daisy like flowers.
Please please please don't plant horseradish. It's totally invasive and you can never get rid as the roots go deep deep deep (40') and you'll have to abandon that ground, then it'll spread even further and suddenly no farm. Only place would be a solid tub of concrete with NO cracks. 🙏
Oh no! Thank you for letting me know! So if I do find it, I’ll also buy a large concrete or other solid pot with no cracks or drain holes. I have a feeling I’ll find it this year so am grateful for your advice!
Oh man...I love horseradish, and every photo you've taken here looks incredible. I blend horseradish with salt and apple cider vinegar, and put that $ on everything! Missed you Samantha! Was starting to wonder about you this morning (not being creepy (: but concerned, and here you show up!
I truly missed you too. I’ve seen emails about your courses, etc., and now I’m ready to get going on it. I am continuing to look for horseradish. We have a wonderful huge all organic, non-gmo nursery a few miles from here and I’ve looked there before, but still haven’t found any. I will probably try to buy seeds or something. What is the ratio you use to mix it with the apple cider vinegar and salt
Thanks V! We've been traveling quite a bit lately and have also had lots to do regarding home projects, since we're preparing it for sale (or rent, we haven't decided yet). Then we explored fun things and little shops all around that we'd wanted to visit for a long time. Anyway, that's the short summary of all that went on. It was fun, but I'm not exaggerating when I say I truly missed Substack and everyone here.
I've gone to NOAA many times, but still not certain I trust them implicitly (government, you know). Still, it's worth checking for weather, etc. And I understand about the TV -- our TV is basically only for carefully curated movie watching. We don't have access to news on our TV and I don't read it on the Internet. I do get some news (obviously) through the various stacks I read, which discuss recent events. My husband keeps up with things going on around the globe and he lets me know what I need to know regarding geopolitics.
I really must try that rhubarb recipe. When I was a kid we had 1-week school outings. And every lunch, wherever we were, there was rhubarb. The taste was so horribly acid that it put me off for years (and I never had a sweet tooth).
Please do! I haven’t tried it yet, but I plan to.
I grow rhubarb every year. I add to salads, bake it, make jams and pies. It’s very versatile and easy to grow here in California.
I love rhubarb cobbler haha! We’ve found it quite easy to grow. Have you found the same?
Yes, absolutely it is even easy to grow here in California where in the summer the temperatures reach to 105 and up in the summertime! It’s such a versatile plant which you can use for sweet dishes to savory sour dishes. Or just eat it the fresh stake like I used to do when I was a kid. 😋
My grandparents came from Germany and Russia and it was a big part of our summer and winter cuisine.
That’s good to know. I thought the drier climate there might hinder its growth. It gets really hot here in the summer too, but it’s very humid too That’s interesting you ate it raw like that. I haven’t tried that yet. DS’s family is from Russia/Poland/Hungary, so he grew up with it too.
My German grandparents moved to the central coast of California from North Dakota in the early 50’s. They successfully grew it in their garden in Atascadero. That is where when I was a kid growing up I would always eat tge stalks. We moved to the central inland part of California and the 60s and my sister started growing up when she had her first home in the late 60s. She grew her rhubarb from my grandparents garden and that’s the rhubarb I have today! I am not sure why it grows so well. I grow it on the north side of our house like she did diminishing the effects is sunlight and heat.
I noticed that before CV it was always for sale at Home Depot and Lowe’s and I haven’t seen it since. I’m so happy I still have it.
I planted artichoke last year, here in the north country. I had to start them early, in February indoors, then put them outside in 40F weather for two weeks to trigger the fruiting cycle. I left them in the ground, covered them with a lot of wood chips, hoping they will come back next year. They would not make it through an historical winter, but last year the ground did not freeze, and this year we only really had two weeks of hard cold.
I pray they come up for you, William! One year when we had an uncharacteristically long freeze (for our area — 2 weeks), ours died back and did not return that spring/summer. But, they shot right up the next year!
The first year fruit was not very satisfying. I am hoping the more mature plants are more satisfying, but not too optimistic they will return. I will celebrate if they do though!
Did you plant Jerusalem artichokes, specifically? We have both globe and Jerusalem varieties and I prefer the Jerusalem. It’s also supposed to be hardier for both very hot/humid and quite cold weather environments.
I'm pretty sure I planted globe. I will have to confirm. But that is good to know.
Hmmm as @Leona pointed out above, the globes are different from the Jerusalem variety. Maybe see if you can find any Jerusalem artichokes in your area..,
Welcome back, Gluck!
Thanks, Lawdog! 😘
Not sure about the Globe artichoke picture under the Jerusalem artichoke notes. A Jerusalem artichoke is a tuber, related to the sunflower and has yellow daisy like flowers.
Yes we have both types, but I only had a picture of the one! Haha
Please please please don't plant horseradish. It's totally invasive and you can never get rid as the roots go deep deep deep (40') and you'll have to abandon that ground, then it'll spread even further and suddenly no farm. Only place would be a solid tub of concrete with NO cracks. 🙏
Oh no! Thank you for letting me know! So if I do find it, I’ll also buy a large concrete or other solid pot with no cracks or drain holes. I have a feeling I’ll find it this year so am grateful for your advice!
I second this, horseradish can be extremely hard to contain.
Thanks for the second, Rat. I guess I dodged a big one there. Haha I had never heard about it being so invasive. I’ve heard this about mint for sure!
Oh man...I love horseradish, and every photo you've taken here looks incredible. I blend horseradish with salt and apple cider vinegar, and put that $ on everything! Missed you Samantha! Was starting to wonder about you this morning (not being creepy (: but concerned, and here you show up!
Welcome back!
I truly missed you too. I’ve seen emails about your courses, etc., and now I’m ready to get going on it. I am continuing to look for horseradish. We have a wonderful huge all organic, non-gmo nursery a few miles from here and I’ve looked there before, but still haven’t found any. I will probably try to buy seeds or something. What is the ratio you use to mix it with the apple cider vinegar and salt
Welcome home!
Thanks, Doc! 💗
Thanks V! We've been traveling quite a bit lately and have also had lots to do regarding home projects, since we're preparing it for sale (or rent, we haven't decided yet). Then we explored fun things and little shops all around that we'd wanted to visit for a long time. Anyway, that's the short summary of all that went on. It was fun, but I'm not exaggerating when I say I truly missed Substack and everyone here.
I've gone to NOAA many times, but still not certain I trust them implicitly (government, you know). Still, it's worth checking for weather, etc. And I understand about the TV -- our TV is basically only for carefully curated movie watching. We don't have access to news on our TV and I don't read it on the Internet. I do get some news (obviously) through the various stacks I read, which discuss recent events. My husband keeps up with things going on around the globe and he lets me know what I need to know regarding geopolitics.
I DO read food and farming news, though!