Did I tell you about how we lost our rhubarb plant? We had a beautiful, lush rhubarb plant in the back yard; we treasured it especially for its ruby-red stalks that tasted as good as they looked! One day, we noticed that a couple of the leaves were wilted and had turned a rusty color. This wasn't enough to set off any warning bells, yet; but a few days later there were more discolored leaves, and then a few more, and in a very short period of time, the entire plant had wilted and dried up to nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing: there was nothing to even indicate that a thriving plant was ever in that spot, just a small, knobby outcrop where the crown of the plant had been.
We were very disappointed! The mature rhubarb plant not only provided us with delicious rhubarb, but it was a wonderful backdrop to other plantings in the garden. It looked very tropical, like a gunnera plant on a smaller scale.
This year, we hoped against hope that the rhubarb might come back from the root. Sadly, it did not. I wanted to find out what claimed our plant, so I did a little homework and found some information from the University of Saskatchewan. I learned that in Western Canada, there is only one rhubarb disease, fittingly called red leaf disease. The disease attacks the root and the crown, and can claim the plant slowly or very quickly. There is nothing that can be done for the plant once it gets this disease, and in the article I read it was suggested that new rhubarb plants should not be planted in the spot where the disease was present. So, just like that, a much-loved member of our garden family was gone! Hopefully we will replace it one day in another spot.
Gardeners love touring around gardens, looking for ideas and inspiration, and July does not disappoint! If you would like to go on the three day gardening getaway with the SHA bus tour to the south-west corner of the province, including Swift Current and theCypress Hills, July 13 - 15, please give Glen a call at 783-7040 and see if they still have room on the bus.
Some seats are also still available for the one day tour, Saturday, July 24, to the International Peace Gardens. It will be a great day with lots of interesting things to see, and if you think you'd like to join us, call Liz at 782-2830.
Remember, too, that the Garden of the Week contest starts next week; be sure to enter your name at City Hall. This contest is drawn, not judged, so you don't have to worry that every last weed has to be plucked from your garden before you can consider entering the contest! Don't be shy, just head down to City Hall and enter your name!
I think that all we can say about the gardening year so far is that it has been a challenge. Between endless rain and mosquitoes the size of sparrows, it is not easy to even get outside and try to do any work. But gardeners always look ahead, don't we! We know that in a month's time, we could be wishing we had some of the rain we have now. All we can do is try our best!
That's it for this time, have a good week, and be sure to wear a hat and protect yourself from the mosquitoes!
