The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
THAT’S Raffle win is just the ticket, but there’s rhubarb to be planted in the garden
You know I never win anything in a raffle. Well, I did once. And this week makes it twice!
Yes, this week a bottle of gin comes my way courtesy of a Scots Guards’ raffle held at a veterans’ lunch.
The liquor is made in Edinburgh and is pink because it is infused with rhubarb.
It is a nice thing to drink at Christmas. Though not by me as I donate the thing to the neighbouring table who win nothing…
Meanwhile, guilt strikes as I remember the rhubarb plants that are sitting in a box by the back door.
There are three of them and they have been there some time. Given by a friend whose garden is overrun with the stuff.
From time to time I throw a pan of water over them. But now I must find somewhere to plant them.
Gardening boots are pulled on – and the littlest of the MacNaughties barks with excitement.
Bennie senses an outing and down to the polytunnel we go.
Where the seedlings are soaking up the sun. Among them, kale, broad bean, and beetroot.
Down we go. Woman and her best friend – who is on a lead, because as a puppy he cannot yet be trusted not to run off.
A spot is found by the wall. It is slightly shaded but still light enough.
Indeed, this was once a compost heap. Which is good. Rhubarb likes to have its feet in something rich.
Thousands of years ago it was grown in China and widely used in herbal remedies. The dried roots were apparently a good laxative while the stems were used to treat heartburn and stomach pain.
There is some dispute about how it eventually arrived here in Scotland. It seems it was either brought back from Russia by a Dumfriesshire
GARDENING BOOTS ARE PULLED
ON – AND THE LITTLEST OF THE MACNAUGHTIES BARKS WITH EXCITEMENT
or Ayrshire physician to the Tsar.
Whoever did the deed, by the 18th Century, rhubarb was being used in puddings. It would help that sugar was becoming more widely available at that time.
I plan lots of pies and crumbles from my new plants. But whatever happens, do not confuse this fruit with its monstrous cousin.
Gunnera Tinctoria, or giant rhubarb, is definitely not edible.
This plant came across from South America, arriving in Victorian times as a striking addition to large estates.
It has large umbrella-like leaves and long red flowers – and is a striking specimen.
But reaching heights of more than 6ft tall and with sharp spiked stems, giant rhubarb can become an invasive plant.
We have a couple growing in the bogland at the back of the garden. They were planted five years ago, and we may yet live to regret having them.
No regrets we hope on the small rhubarb that is now in. With luck, this time next year it may bear fruit.
In the meantime, wee Bennie, tethered to a stick in the lawns, is growing restless. Enough gardening methinks. It is time for a stroll up the valley…