Rhubarb

[murielh]

I've just brought a container grown rhubarb which i'm about to plant down my allotment,i was wondering when would i be able to harvest it.

[murielh]

[Svea]

from about march/april onwards, until about july. best planting times would probably be a little later than now, autumn, although we have had a very cool, almost autumnal august this year :-\

[wardy]

Thanks for the reminder  :)  I've had quite a few plants given to me and I have to plant them somewhere on my plot.  I have an enormous plot but when it comes to planting something I start to dither  ;D

I'm going to force a few stems next spring as they are delish.  We made cocktails with the lovely pink stuff last year on a mate's plot  :)

[cyrilsquirrel]

I thought someone said that you shouldnt harvest past about May ish because of the poisons from the leaves travelling into the stems........or have I got that all wrong  ??? :P

[Lady Cosmos]

Before planting rhubarb put a lot of manure in the soil. The best planting though is end febr-march. Get a sunny spot and keep plants well watered. Feed the plants  during summer and put some manure over the crowns in jan and febr. Pulling can start within 12-18 months !! after planting  :( :( and the second year  from april till july. Leave at least 4 stalks. Roots division every 5 years for the best results :P

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you've got a damp sunny patch put it there; they like moisture. Give it plenty of time to establish, start pulling when the stems reach a good size, and don't worry about oxalic acid, it'sin the leaves not the stems. In a good year I go on picking till midummer, and only stop when the stems run out. The only difference is that it isn't quite so juicy later on. One year I picked the wilting stems after the first frost and we had those.

[Wicker]

Sticking by the rules I normally stop pulling end July but this year I have kept on and have some beautifully pink cooked in the fridge as of now (picked yesterday) - made sure plants got loads of water this year and boy have they flourished.  Mind you I try to renew by every fourth year as I don't like thick coarse stems - but that's a personal choice.

[Derekthefox]

You are correct about the acid travelling into the stems Cyril, but unless you are sensitive to the acid eg arthritic, then it should not be a problem, providing you are sensible. I am making two gallons of wine from late pulled sticks, so if I am a victim, you will notice by the lack of posts . . .

Derekthefox :D