Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb

Rosie here this time with a garden update. I've been trying, without success, to get some rhubarb plants by swapping for something else on the local AngloInfo forum. People kept telling me I could buy it almost anywhere but they completely missed the point that I wanted to swap it for something, NOT to buy it! So imagine my surprise when Simon said there was a load growing in the old veg area. We'd seen it last Autumn but couldn't find it when he started clearing the area with the digger. Somehow, though, he managed to miss it. I've transplanted 5 clumps into the new veg patch and will leave the main clump to crop this year. My mouth is already watering at the thought of rhubarb crumble, cake, chutney, jam, cheesecake ........ Let me know if you want any recipes.

All the locals I've spoken to have said wait until April before getting on in the veg patch with exception of planting shallots and garlic. Well, I have done that but I am an impatient gardener so I've done a bit more - I've planted out some parsley (Persil in French!) and lettuces, sowed broad beans and put in half the onion sets. Last week-end we were able to sit outside for lunch on the hedgelaying week-end - but no chance of that now. We had a frost last night (my poor lettuces!) and there is a bitter wind blowing as I write. Snow is forecast for tomorrow not far from here so you never know - we might get a White Easter!! Looks like the locals knew what they were talking about!

I've also sown some seeds inside and keep nagging Simon to make me a cold frame. He hopes to use the old windows and as we collected the new double glazed windows today I might get a cold frame sometime soon. Not sure when we'll get the polytunnel up bearing in mind we've just bought 1000 hedge plants and they need planting ....... NOW.

Anyone for a hedge planting holiday in Normandy?