Rhubarb mistake to avoid or risk bad crop warns gardening expert

Thanks to the sunniest March on record, we’re reportedly expecting a bumper crop of and British . The created the perfect growing conditions for both crops and data from Ocado shows that British rhubarb sales are up 88 per cent year on year.

Online rhubarb recipe searches for rhubarb crumble were four times higher last week than a month earlier. But the sunny can also have unexpected effects on our rhubarb. One reader, Cathy, wrote to me with a photo of her rhubarb’s new flower stalk, asking me if this is normal.

This is called bolting when a plant such as rhubarb or lettuce produces flowers before you’ve had time to harvest it. It’s probably the result of the warm spell – the plant feels under stress and must reproduce quickly. The sooner you cut off the flowering stalk, the plant can put its energy back into stalk and leaf production. The stalks should still be fine to harvest.

Here’s my list of the other jobs gardeners can get on with this week:

• Spring clean your borders – hoe off or dig up weeds and mulch with or well-rotted manure. Fertilise emerging perennials and roses with some chicken manure or liquid seaweed feed.
• If temperatures remain stable, it’s outdoor sowing and planting time for leeks, beetroot, radish, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, spinach, cabbage, artichoke, broad beans, Swiss chard, peas, and spinach.
• Cut back dead ferns to reveal new shoots.

• Divide and replant kniphofia.
• Plants in pots will benefit from a top dressing of fresh compost and a dash of liquid fertiliser.
• Seeds can germinate in as little as seven to 10 days so keep an eye out – once they have developed true leaves, they are ready to be pricked out and potted individually. Tomato seedlings may now be big enough to pot on.
• Take sedum cuttings now.
• Plant out and main crop potatoes.
• Sow outdoors now or plant out autumn sown sweet peas.

How to sow your own wildflower meadow

Meanwhile, the trend for has been blooming for nearly a decade now, and it’s more than just a passing fashion. As the importance of pollinators has finally sunk in, gardeners across the country have embraced the joy and purpose of sowing wildflower seeds. Those bold, flowering meadows - brimming with colour in the first year - have become a familiar sight in gardens, schools, verges and community spaces.

But while many enjoy spectacular results from the start, especially with pictorial annual meadows, it’s worth pausing - particularly now, in the middle of seed-sowing season - to reflect on what happens next. Creating a long-term, species-rich wildflower meadow takes time. The real magic comes not just in that first flush of blooms, but in watching a living system evolve over the years. Here’s what to expect from your meadow as it matures.

YEAR 1: A riot of colour

Your wildflower journey begins with a dazzling display. The first summer is often filled with brilliant blooms from fast-growing annuals - poppies, cornflowers, scented mayweed, corn marigold, and corncockle may all make an appearance. These early stars aren’t just eye candy; they play an important role in supporting the long-term meadow. Acting as a kind of ‘nurse crop’, they provide cover and protection for the slower-growing perennial and biennial species that are just starting to take root. Enjoy the show - these annuals will usually die back come autumn.

YEAR 2: The early settlers

In the second year, the meadow changes character. The splashy annuals are mostly gone, and their place is taken by hardy biennials and a few quick-growing perennials. Oxeye daisies often dominate, creating a white daisy-dotted field in early summer. You may also see red campion or knapweed if they’ve established well. While it might look less dramatic than the first year, this phase is a crucial step in the meadow’s development, as underground roots and seedbanks quietly build strength.

YEAR 3: Shifting balance

This can be a quieter year for colour, but don’t be disheartened - it’s a sign of natural progress. The initial dominance of oxeye daisy or wild carrot often begins to fade, allowing space for a greater variety of wildflowers to emerge. The perennial species are now maturing, and the overall composition starts to shift towards a more balanced, long-term mix. Think of this year as the meadow finding its rhythm.

YEAR 4: A meadow in full flow

By year four, the meadow has settled. With the right management - such as annual cutting and removal of clippings to prevent soil enrichment - you’ll see a colourful blend of native wildflowers, flowering at different times throughout the summer. Each year from now on, your meadow can become even more diverse, welcoming new species and supporting a broader range of insects, , and pollinators.

The process of establishing a meadow is not instant, but it is deeply satisfying. Watching a space change and evolve over several seasons brings a unique joy. If you’re just starting out, now is the perfect time to prepare the ground and sow wildflower seeds.

Clear away existing grass and , rake over the soil, scatter your seeds, and gently press them in. Then let nature take its course. A wildflower meadow is more than just a garden feature - it’s a small act of restoration. As it grows and settles, so too does your relationship with the seasons, the soil, and the natural around you. And that, in the end, might be the most beautiful bloom of all.