Rhubarb?/Raspberry?

[kittynip]

I just found the gardening forum and I can’t tell ya how excited that makes me. My computer desk sits right next to a window overlooking the backyard and garden. Of course both are brown and frozen right now. But, that doesn’t keep me from planning (daydreaming about) what they’ll be like in a few more months. Which leads to my questions…..


1. I have rhubarb, LOVE this stuff. Every year my rhubarb goes to seed. Huge 5’ tall stalks, loaded with seeds grow out of the centers. Someone told me once it shouldn’t be eaten in the year it goes to seed. Being stubborn, I completely ignored this advice and made a pie anyway. I know the leaves shouldn’t be eaten because they are supposed to be poisonous. This has been going on for 9-10 years. I’ve grown rhubarb before and this has never happened. These particular rhubarb plants came with the house when I bought it so I don’t know much about them. I’ve asked at my local garden center and they pretty much just shrug their shoulders. Is this normal? Do I have mutant rhubarb?


2. Second, I really want to plant raspberries this year. I have a spot all picked out along a fence between my house and the neighbors. Here’s the problem; I’ve heard that raspberries can spread quite a bit. If they started coming up in the neighbors’ yard she would hate me. So, do they get out of control? If so is there a good way to contain them?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Merczilla]

I get seed stalks on my rhubarb every year. I just don't use those stalks. Have no idea what variety I have...they've been here for 20 years or so. lol I also have raspberries and yes, mine do spread everywhere. Mine are two-year canes (I think most are), so the stalks that have berries on them this year, I cut off (I do it in the spring) to get rid of the dead. When they start coming up in the yard, I just cut them off as close to the ground as possible. They very well could send runners under the fence and into your neighbors yard. Only other thing I can think of is to dig fairly deep by the fence first and put in some sort of hard barrier (wood will eventually rot, plastic sheeting will eventually disingrate) so I don't quite know what to suggest there. Maybe someone else will have a good idea.

[nlowndes]

We did raspberries last year. We went to menards and got the one season kind of raspberries. They were very good and were ready around September/October. They didn't spread much since they are only there a year, so that may be an option for you. We will replant the bush again this year.

[Gardencook]

Most rhubarb will go to seed when the weather gets hot or if it isn't picked regulary. If you keep cutting back the shoots before the seeds form, you will get a longer rhubarb harvest.
The seed problem gets worse when the plants need to be divided. Every few years it is a good idea to dig up the plants and divide them. It gives you a lot of extra rhubarb plants.
As the others have mentioned, raspberries will spread rapidly. Our neighbors had well established plants when we moved into our home years ago. I dig out a lot of the runners, but can never keep them under control. I love raspberries, but don't have that much space, so try not to let them take over my flower bed.