Topic: Established rhubarb - when do I harvest

[Debs]

 
My recently acquired lottie has an established patch of rhubarb.

As I have never grown it before please tell me when I should be picking it.

Do I look for a certain size or colouring of the main stem  ???

It's my first year as a lottie holder and I love it  ;D ;D

Debs

[cam]

hope this helps,its a quote from Joy Larkin's Grow Your Own Vegetables, "Don't pull any rhubarb in 1st season,pull lightly 2nd season.Be guided by appearance of plant,if not vigorous leave unpulled so that crown can build up.Afterwards pull as much as required,as long as stems are firm."
Good luck,  Cam.

[tim]

Short answer?  April - July.

But if you want some earlier, delicate pink stems, cover a clump in January with a dustbin.  = Tim

[Debs]

Cam/Tim,

Thanks for advice.  

I shall have to consult a few cook books for recipes as my established clump is quite large!

Tim - Can the fruit be used after July or does it alter the taste??

Debs :)

[Mrs Ava]

Hmm, there was talk of this a couple of weeks ago, started by me.  Apparently the rhubarb becomes very high in an acid...but I can't remember what...so shouldn't really be eaten.  I will search back and tell you.  ;D

[Mrs Ava]

Well the `lore` says it is far too late already. Something to do with the build up of oxalic acid in the stems-but I am no expert.

Stephan

says Cleo and then....

Oxalic acid is bad for you -but great for removing rust stains from glassfibre, cleaning teak &c.

Jeremy

says Derbex.

So I would say, leave the bubby alone now, but plan ahead so you can force some this coming late winter early spring, and start picking as soon as there is enough to pick.   ;D

[tim]

Like asparagus, it needs to re-build its strength for next year's onslaught. = Tim

[Debs]

So can I assume that no one is pulling up the roob at the moment
- I was hoping to pull some today and cook a batch to see how it tasted ( especially as I have printed off Delia's 'Rhubarb Crumble ice-cream!!!

Debs

[Doris_Pinks]

Debs that is a FANTASTIC recipe!! My books say do not pull any after July.....last day today, so I would pick some!

[growmore]

I have a goodly patch of it.
I have never heard about the oxalic acid
build up in Rhubarb ...
I had a crumble after dinner yesterday and we have a pie for afters tomorrow ..
Now I begin to wonder .. should I ?Hmmm. ???
I think I might risk the pie ..
Sometimes ignorance is bliss eh??Jim..

[Len]

From what I have read it depends on the varieties planted There is a varity from the USA which can be harvested through to September not sure of the name  the other that comes to mind is Timperley Early can be ready from early March to August.
Len

[tim]

Difficult to keep up with modern science??

And would one value asparagus so much if it were available (UK) ayr? = Tim

[Debs]

RESULT !!

I panicked a bit as its the end of July, so picked 5lb of the stuff ;D

Returned home and trimmed well away from leaves and crown,
then made some Rhubarb Crumble Ice-cream :P :P which was given the thumbs up from my 2 children.
Also stewed 1lb then froze rest into 1lb and 2lb bags.

Having never grown or picked rhubarb before, I was more than a little pleased with myself  ;)

Debs.

[Doris_Pinks]

Well done Debs! ;D