What We Raise, When It's Ripe Today at The Tree Farm How To Find Us

ASPARAGUS and RHUBARB

Pick your own asparagus begins some time in very early May and continues until mid June. Asparagus grows very fast and needs to be picked at exactly the right stage. One day too soon or too late may result in decreased quality. To provide our customers the best possible quality from a planting of modest size, we sell asparagus by appointment. Experience has taught us that this is the most effective way to get our customers quality asparagus in the amounts they want.

Once picked, asparagus loses flavor very rapidly. Refrigeration helps a little. But because asparagus grows well at low temperatures, metabolic processes just keep on using up the sugar, even in the refrigerator. As a child, Karen couldn't understand why anyone would choose to eat asparagus. Only after she tasted fresh asparagus straight out of the garden did she discover that she likes it. Chris's technique for preparing the best asparagus for supper is to put the kettle on to boil, and then pick the asparagus. It really needs to be fresh for full flavor. Although this technique may not be practical for our customers, for real fresh asparagus flavor, we do recommend that asparagus be used (eaten, frozen, pickled, etc.) as soon after harvest as possible, surely within 24 hours.

To arrange for an appointment, call 608.798.2286 or email treefarm@midplains.net

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial. The tops die down after a hard freeze each fall. Large leaves and flower stalks sprout from fleshy roots each spring. The edible part of rhubarb is the petiole, that is, the stem that bears the leaf. Rhubarb petioles are typically one to three feet long and up to two inches wide. They are picked by grasping the petiole near the ground and simultaneously twisting and pulling gently. The leaf is then cut off of the top of the petiole.

Rhubarb may be ready to harvest as early as May 10. Although it grows all summer long, the quality is best in the spring. We usually end the rhubarb harvest about mid June. For the rest of the summer the plants grow and store energy in their roots. It is this stored energy that provides the plants the strength for a bountiful harvest the following spring.

We think that rhubarb is seriously underrated and underutilized! Even its name is ridiculed. But, that doesn't keep it from providing a real taste treat! Rhubarb sauce (served over ice cream or pancakes) is one of our favorites. We also enjoy rhubarb pie and rhubarb cheesecake.

Rhubarb Sauce
3 cups rhubarb cut into 1 inch chunks
1 to 2 cups sugar (to taste, Chris likes a ratio of 5 rhubarb to 2 sugar)
Heat together in large kettle over low heat, stirring frequently until mixture boils. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes more. Serve hot or cold.

Rhubarb Pie Bake at 400 degrees F. for 40 to 50 minutes
Pie crust (use your favorite) for a two crust pie
Substitute orange juice for water in the pie crust (optional)

Filling:
3 cups chopped Rhubarb
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel (optional)
3 Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoons butter or margarine (optional)

Rhubarb is available for sale by appointment. Please contact us to set up a picking time.

The Tree Farm
The Pick Your Own Vegetables Place
Cut your own Christmas Trees on December Weekends
8454 Highway 19
Cross Plains, WI 53528
608.798.2286

Updated May 6, 2005

All images, text, design and layout
Copyright © 2004, 2005 The Tree Farm
All Rights Reserved
www.thetreefarm.org