Last year I was introduced the the concept of perennials in the garden. I was excited by the idea of not having to start my garden each year from scratch. I planted little rhubarb plants, asparagus from roots, and started patience dock from seeds I received from Mother Earth news.
The first asparagus to break through the ground this year. I am impressed by how fast they grow once they break through the soil. The asparagus love our sandy soil and the rabbits have not touched them.
Last week I posted pictures of what was growing. This week I thought I would share pictures of plants that are just barely surviving: My rhubarb. The rabbits devastated them, eating them to the ground. I was sad, but moved on, then one day I noticed a green leaf peeking out of the ground. I set up an emergency perimeter with milk jugs and sprayed rabbit repellent outside the perimeter (not letting the repellent touch the plants; garlic flavored rhubarb doesn’t sound so good). I hoped that would be enough to discourage the rabbits until I could find a safe location for the plants.
The rhubarb started to rebound while still guarded by milk jugs. I couldn’t find a spot to plant the rhubarb where they would be safe, so my husband built another raised garden bed that could be devoted to perennials.
The rhubarb is safely planted in a raised garden bed. Six of the plants are thriving, one is still in critical condition, and two have died.
Now a little bit of uplifting news: The lettuces seem to be growing faster than we can consume them. Red leaf lettuce is my favorite. My daughter pronounced my radishes the best she had ever eaten, and my non-tomatoist insisted that some tomatoes be saved just for him!
I still have quite a few plants in my portable green house. The lettuces and spinach will be used to replace plants that I harvest. The tomatoes and peppers are my emergency back up in case we have another freeze. (Evidence that I was permanently scarred by a snow storm on the Fourth of July 5 years ago!) If I don’t need the tomatoes and peppers in the garden this summer, I will bring them in the house and use them in a small indoor garden this fall.
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The Book Lady Online says
I didn't realize that buttercrunch lettuce is heat tolerant. I'm so excited!! Running out today to look for seeds or seedlings. Thanks for that info!
I dream of growing asparagus. Thanks for sharing your picture. Also, your milk jug rabbit fence is very clever.
Alea says
Melissa- Buttercrunch lettuce and spinach mustard are 2 heat tolerant greens that you can grow in the summer, if you are missing home grown greens.
Lori- We are fortunate that the deer and racoons have not found our property.
Lori says
Love the milk jug perimeter you set up!! 🙂 Really, it's a great idea! Isn't it discouraging when critters destroy thing you've worked hard to grow?? We have REALLY big gardens…and one year the raccoons destroyed our entire corn crop OVERNIGHT. And yes, the corn was ready for picking…we were planning to harvest the next day. Guess that's why the coons got it! LOL!
Melissa says
I enjoyed seeing the rescue of the rhubarb. 🙂
I intended to plant lettuce this spring, but the timing didn't work out. I hope to try in the fall.
byhisgracealone says
wow I am impressed with the rhubarb recovery….
thanks for visiting my blog….it's fun discovering the gardening adventures of others.