Overview
Rhubarb is a strong perennially grown vegetable crop that is appreciated due to soreness and red colored stalks. This is the reason why one needs to know how to harvest rhubarb whether you are new in gardening or an expert gardener, in order to have good cultivation and good yield every year.
What Is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb ( Rheum rhabarbarum ) is a cool-season vegetable widely employed as a fruit in pies, jams and dishes. The rhubarb is edible only in the stalks, otherwise the leaves are toxic since they contain large quantities of oxalic acid and were never to be eaten.
When to Harvest Rhubarb
The rhubarb has to be harvested at the right time. This is what you should keep in mind:
- First-year: Do not harvest in the first growing season. Give the plant time to take deep roots.
- Second year plants: You may thin but only a few stalks.
- Plants (3+ years) that are well established: Full harvests are safe and helpful.
Best Time of Year
- This is best harvested late in the spring to early summer (April through June).
- The light harvesting can be done until the middle of the summer, but cease it at the beginning of July so that the plant could get restored.
Signs Rhubarb Is Ready to Harvest
Here are the signs to look out:
- Stalks 12 to 18 inches high
- Stalks are hard and crisp
- The color is rich red or green, according to variety
- Leaves are in full bloom
Do not cut down on weak spindly stalks, they are probably young or stressed.
How to Harvest Rhubarb Correctly
Step 1: Identify Healthy Stalks
Select dark colored and firm stalks with large thickness. Do not choose more than a third of a plant at once.
Step 2: Grasp and Pull
- By one hand grasp the stalk where it starts.
- This way just lightly turn and pull it out, it must come out easily.
- A knife should not be used as this can give an inroad in the crown.
Trick: Never take off all the stalks in a plant, keep at least two or four such stalks in a plant.
Step 3: Trim the Leaves
- Trim with a sharp knife or scissors the big, poisonous leaves immediately.
- Get rid of the leaves in a place that pets and children cannot access as well as compost (unless you have the composting system that can cope with oxalic acid).
How Often Can You Harvest?
- Mature plants can be harvested every 7-10 days at high season.
- Stop cutting down all the time, the plant needs time to restore energy.
What Not to Do When Harvesting Rhubarb
- Don’t remove all stalks at once
- Don’t harvest in the first year
- Don’t eat the leaves
- Don’t harvest during hot summer months or after frost hits
Tips for Prolonging Rhubarb Harvest
If you Want to extend your harvest window and keep your rhubarb thriving?
- Early spring mulch will help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
- During dry spells water rhubarb prefers even moisture.
- In early springs, light application of compost or balanced fertilizer should be done.
- Rhubarb plants should be divided every 5-6 years so as to encourage growth.
Harvesting Rhubarb in Late Summer or Fall
Technically, rhubarb can continue growing into the fall, but:
- Heat decreases the quality.
- There can be woody or bitter stalks.
- Plantings of crops that mature late weaken the crown prior to winter dormancy.
Stick to harvesting by early July for the healthiest plants.
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How to Store Fresh Rhubarb
Once harvested, rhubarb should be stored properly for maximum freshness:
- Stalks: Keep 2 weeks in the refrigerator wrapped in a paper towel then inside the plastic bag.
- Frozen to use: Wash, cut it in pieces, and freeze in a baking tray and then move to containers.
- Free in syrup or jam: Fabulous long term dessert usage.
FAQs
Is it possible to use Rhubarb in the First Year?
No. You can allow the plant to settle until the first growing season. Harvesting may be done prematurely and this may restrict further growth.
Should I allow Rhubarb to Flower?
No. Discard any stalks of flowers, as soon as visible. The flowering indicates the plant to enter a state of dormancy and makes production poor.
Can You Eat the Stalks of Green Rhubarb?
Yes. Other varieties of the rhubarb remain green despite full ripeness. Being ready is not always related to the color.
What If I Cut the Stalk in an Accident?
It is okay in some instances, but frequent trimming can cut the crown to diseases. Pull and twist wherever possible.
Final Thoughts
Instructions on harvesting rhubarb: it might seem like it is an easy task but being proper at it also counts a lot. Wait until the plant has matured, when the stalks should be chosen correctly, and appropriate technique should be applied, and your rhubarb will be getting you great harvests for years.