Grow Free: The Giving Garden Project
Registration Now Closed
Thanks to 164 adopters in 18 communities in Ashland and Bayfield counties who will be the caretakers of 350 rhubarb plants and share them with community members in Spring 2027!
Check back next year to see what variety we’re adding to local gardens and sign up early!
Grow Free:
The Giving Garden Project 2026
Grow Free: A Project to Expand Access to Locally Grown Food
The Giving Garden Project is a three-year project to expand access to locally grown food in Ashland and Bayfield counties. It is open to anyone — households, public places, libraries, churches, town halls and more — who want to plant rhubarb roots and share freely with those who need food. In its first year, free rhubarb roots will be available and each year, a new plant will be offered to growers.
Let’s grow and share more rhubarb in our communities!
About Rhubarb
The rhubarb plant is a hearty perennial vegetable, although it is most commonly used as a fruit in pies. It has health benefits, is easy to grow in many kinds of soil, needs minimal tending, and is frequently shared with those not lucky enough to have a garden.
This project is supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Tamarack Health along with rhubarb from Hauser’s Superior View Farm and compost from Big Lake Organics!
(Registration Closed)
Join Grow Free: The Giving Garden Project & Grow Rhubarb!
- Sign up today to reserve 1 to 10 rhubarb roots, while supplies last!
- Participants will receive email instructions on how to pick up or get delivery of the rhubarb roots in May 2026.
- Participants are asked to share the harvest with those who need food.
Planting, Growing, and Cooking with Your Rhubarb!
An overview of the history, care, varieties, and culinary uses of rhubarb.
Questions about your rhubarb? Looking for expert advice? A Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener or Extension staff will respond to your inquiry.
Check out the packet that comes with each rhubarb plant! This resource will teach you how to plant and care for your rhubarb, along with recipes and fun facts!
Join UW Madison Horticulture specialist Ann Kowenstrot, Diversified Vegetable Educator, as we explore all things rhubarb! Learn its history, production, and management. We will cover what growers and gardeners need to know for successful rhubarb production and care. This session will provide practical, research based information for both home gardeners and small scale producers.
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm CDT
Location: online! Registration required, recording shared after!
PDF recipes brought to you by the past Ashland/Bayfield/Iron County FoodWIse Team.
PDF’s and video resources brought to you by Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Learn when rhubarb is in season as well as how to select, store, and prepare fresh rhubarb brought to you by UW-Madison Extension’s The Learning Store
Post photos of your rhubarb plants, garden, and recipes on our Facebook page!
HAVE A QUESTION?
Lissa Radke serves Ashland County as the Community Development Educator. To learn more about Community Development Programming and the role of Extension in Ashland County, send an email to lissa.radke@wisc.edu or call the Ashland County office at 715-682-7017.
In accordance with federal law and its enacting regulations, any person with limited English proficiency (LEP) has the right to request and receive information related to Extension’s educational programming and services in a language other than English. In order to receive assistance with interpretation and/or translation needs, or any other matter related to language access issues, please contact: oaic@extension.wisc.edu