When to Harvest Rhubarb

[BHopkins]

I decided to make a fresh rhubarb pie today. It has been several weeks since last time I have harvested the stalks off the plat, and when I went outside to harvest some rhubarb, I noticed that most of the stalks were very long, probably between 24-30". I've always harvested rhubarb when the stalks are around 14-18" long, and it's my understanding that is best.

Since the stalks were so long, I tried to select those stalks that are smaller in diameter.

What is the experience of others here? Will there be any noticeable difference in flavor or texture?

 

[Egg_Head]

I realize ruhbarb may be an "acquired taste". There was an older couple that live next to me when I was in my 20's. They invited in for a piece of ruhbard pie once. It was the most vile tasting thing I had ever try to eat. I felt bad bc they loved it and I just sat and stared at it. I apologized profusely and the old man said , "no problem, more pie for me".

 

[benjamming]

I have never grown it nor known of anyone who did. Is it very difficult to grow? Hardy I assume.
I do like rhubarb pie & wife made one this month. Sometimes make it with strawberries.

 

[sopususer]

My family has grown rhubarb for most of my life. When my father died, my mother built a new house near me and transplanted some of the rhubarb to my property. As far a being able to grow, it is extremely easy to grow if it will grow at all. In my case, it grows like wildfire with almost no effort; however, it seems to dislike some soils and love others. I've given transplant roots to neighbors in various parts of my locality. Some places it grows profusely with only a little fertilizer and time. Other places (only a mile or so away) it comes up with one stalk and never seems to grow. No obvious difference in conditions, just in results.

As far as harvesting, my mother would only harvest the first growth of spring (early May in our area). After that she said the stalks were not as crisp and of lower quality.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I have never grown it nor known of anyone who did. Is it very difficult to grow? Hardy I assume.
I do like rhubarb pie & wife made one this month. Sometimes make it with strawberries.

Yes, strawberry rhubarb is the norm up here.

 

[Pablo]

I decided to make a fresh rhubarb pie today. It has been several weeks since last time I have harvested the stalks off the plat, and when I went outside to harvest some rhubarb, I noticed that most of the stalks were very long, probably between 24-30". I've always harvested rhubarb when the stalks are around 14-18" long, and it's my understanding that is best.

Since the stalks were so long, I tried to select those stalks that are smaller in diameter.

What is the experience of others here? Will there be any noticeable difference in flavor or texture?

Yes it's too late in the year. Avoid harvesting late in the season to ensure the plant can store energy for the next year.

You want the short stalks anyway.

I love me some strawberry rhubarb pie. We ate it as kids and loved it. Too much sugar and oxalic acid for this geezer now, maybe once a year, but heavy on the pesticide laden strawberries.

 

[2005jettatdi]

It is easy to grow rhubarb in Western Washington, not so easy here. Back in 1972 I picked rhubarb for a very nice Japanese/American couple between Kent and Auburn. That was real work.

 

[BHopkins]

My family has grown rhubarb for most of my life. When my father died, my mother built a new house near me and transplanted some of the rhubarb to my property. As far a being able to grow, it is extremely easy to grow if it will grow at all. In my case, it grows like wildfire with almost no effort; however, it seems to dislike some soils and love others. I've given transplant roots to neighbors in various parts of my locality. Some places it grows profusely with only a little fertilizer and time. Other places (only a mile or so away) it comes up with one stalk and never seems to grow. No obvious difference in conditions, just in results.

As far as harvesting, my mother would only harvest the first growth of spring (early May in our area). After that she said the stalks were not as crisp and of lower quality.

Yes it's too late in the year. Avoid harvesting late in the season to ensure the plant can store energy for the next year.

You want the short stalks anyway.

I love me some strawberry rhubarb pie. We ate it as kids and loved it. Too much sugar and oxalic acid for this geezer now, maybe once a year, but heavy on the pesticide laden strawberries.

I have also heard that rhubarb should only be harvested May through early June. But my sister-in-law, who has been growing rhubarb for as long as I can remember, harvests all year long. And her plants are as hardy as any. I've been following her lead, harvesting all summer long, and my plants also are very hardy. I even saw one YouTube video of an organic gardener that was harvesting his last crop of rhubarb in the late fall, before the first freeze.

But I did find my answer to long stalks. Craving a pie, I made one even though the stalks were on the long side. There are a few pieces that are a little tough. Not real bad, but definitely not the norm. So I'm going to make a practice of pulling off stalks, and letting the plant start a new crop, so I can always have shorter stalks.

Soil definitely makes a difference in how well a rhubarb plant grows. The right soil and it grows with little effort, only having to fertilize and harvest. And water, of course. The wrong soil, and it never amounts to much. If that happens, dig it up and transplant it to a different location. Sometimes, that is all it needs.

You are definitely right about the acid and sugar. I tend to eat too much, as my wife doesn't eat rhubarb pie. So it tends to give me a little heartburn. And I don't need the amount of sugar that is in a rhubarb pie. But it is one of my favorite deserts.

 

[cmarshall78]

I don't harvest past the end of June.