Q&A for How to Harvest Rhubarb

Rhubarb doesn't actually tend to make mature seeds. Instead, it's grown by divisions—this means that you're digging up a plant and breaking it apart into more plants.

Yep, they can. The toxic substance, oxalic acid, isn't absorbed by plant roots so there's no problem with putting rhubarb in your compost and later using it in your garden beds.

Yep, you sure do! The foliage will die back and the plant will produce new stalks in the spring.

Yes. You can also put raw leaves in compost. Plants don't absorb oxalic acid (the poisonous substance in rhubarb leaves) through the roots.

Actually, you should leave the stalks of rhubarb on the plant instead of picking them. Next spring, pick the rhubarb and enjoy it!

Leave the rhubarb as it is until spring instead of cutting it down, which will help the plant regrow the next season, particularly if you have harsh winters. Next year, you should be able to harvest your rhubarb.

It's not recommended. The stalks may become tough and woody after June, and harvesting later in the summer will prevent the plant from storing energy and growing well next season.

Yes it does, when you only transplant the roots. I have gotten away with treating a transplant like a mature plant the first year by moving the whole plant and have been able to keep the roots moist and surrounded by the "old" dirt, the same way that you would plant a tree or a large scrub.

Some varieties do not turn red when they are fully ripe.

Chop or scissor the leaves into one inch bits. Boil for ten minutes in 4 cups of water. Strain, adding 4 drops of dish soap (for "stick ability"), then transfer to an empty spray bottle.

These flowers will produce seeds to make more plants. If you're fine with having multiple rhubarb plants, then leave them be, otherwise chop them off.

No, neither the length nor the width matters. Some stalks are naturally larger than others. The length of the stalk is determined by the time of year and by the soil conditions.

It's up to you. Leaving them will help the soil around the plant. Otherwise, it doesn't matter.

I would say no, and that you should remove these from the plant in case it is evidence of a disease that could spread.

Yes. Though you might want to wait a week or so until they turn a little more red.

No, you shouldn't pull a rhubarb when it is wet because it will cause the rhubarb to rust.

The third or fourth year when the plant is dormant, in early spring or late fall.

The leaves are poisonous. The above instructions say to remove them, don’t eat them.

Yes, your rhubarb will continue to grow if it is surrounded by grass.

Yes, you can, but I personally remove all seed heads so the plant sends all of its energy to the stalks instead of seeds.

No, don't eat any part of the leaves. The leaves are where the high levels of oxalates are.

I break off the leaves right at the end of the stalk, ensuring there is no green leaf bits on it.

No, there's nothing to peel off. What you pull or cut is your product to use.

Yes, you can do this in the fall or early spring. Dig up as much of the root as you can and water it in well at the new location. Do not harvest stalks in the first year.

The leaves are what allows the plant to make energy, grow, mature (where photosynthesis occurs). They are the right size for the plant.

Yes, so long as they are of size and mature. Some rhubarb varieties have greener stalks.

Yes, but only when the main spurtle is in the fore-and-aft position (or greeny-pink in high summer).

You can pull off the leaves when the stocks are 12 to18 inches long, around mid-spring.

Full sun. Add compost to maintain moisture in soil. Rhubarb likes moist but well draining soil with lots of organic matter. In clay, mix peat or compost into the soil you put around the rhubarb when planting, and cover around the plant with compost.

This is debated among horticulturalists. Some believe the oxalic acid could move from the leaves to the plants in freezing temperatures, while others don't think that's the case. In summer, though, this shouldn't be an issue. While rhubarb picked in July might be tough and woody, it's not toxic.