Friday Flowers: Rhubarb and more

One flowering rhubarb patch after thinning

The weather and events of this month have kept me out of the garden. I took time yesterday between rain showers to walk around our property and see what needs to be done this weekend. My husband dug up the raspberry patch and I have a place to plant vegetables, but other than that clear space, the wet weather has encouraged jungle-like growth of the perennial beds. The rhubarb leaves are so large and sturdy that they could be used for Adam and Eve's wardrobe. The ferns are as thick as any I see in the wet understories of the woods, squeezing the hostas out in this back corner.

Our flowering bushes and plants are not doing well because of the lack of sunshine. Lilac blooms are turning brown before opening and the tulips were crushed by heavy rain. Lily of the Valley have spread wildly with many more leaves than flowers. But the Bleeding Heart is blooming and Forget-me-nots have spread in every open space with their tiny blue faces creating a carpet of colour.

Yesterday our recreation therapist and a group of volunteers helped our patients make rhubarb squares. Several patients had fond memories of rhubarb plants and rhubarb desserts and the activity stimulated interesting conversations. The squares turned out well and were enjoyed in the afternoon by everyone. I made stewed rhubarb and rhubarb coffee cake this week, but still had plenty of cut up stalks in the fridge. So I made the rhubarb squares and posted the recipe in my recipe blog Come Home for Supper. They have only five ingredients and are much like my rhubarb custard pie, only faster and easier to make.

Other than chives and tarragon, there is not much else edible in the garden. I hope to get some vegetables out soon but wonder if they will grow productively. We do have regular rabbit visitors who are particulary fond of new pea and bean shoots and lettuce. The short term weather forecast looks grey and dull but ...

...maybe June will bring the sunshine we have been craving. I hope the weather forecasters are on track this time.