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Make the most of rhubarb season with this ultimate harvest guide
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Ah, rhubarb. This beautiful veggie, whose color can range from light green or pale pink to deep maroon, is full of flavor and sweetness. Growing it in your home garden is both easy and rewarding, and we’re here to help you learn the ins and outs of how to harvest rhubarb. From the right time to the right size and the best way to remove the stalks, we’ve got everything you need to know right here. Let’s get harvesting.
Things You Should Know
- Harvest rhubarb for 8-10 weeks in the spring and early summer—from May to June in the northern hemisphere.
- To pick rhubarb, grasp a stalk, twist it, and pull it away from the base of the plant. Avoid cutting the stalks off the plant, which could lead to diseases like crown rot.
- Remove and discard the leaves, which contain oxalic acid and are poisonous, as soon as you harvest the rhubarb stalks.
Steps
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Wait at least 1 year before picking stalks from a new rhubarb plant. If you’re growing a new rhubarb plant , don’t harvest during the first year. The plant needs time to develop a strong root system, and harvesting too soon will weaken the young rhubarb plant. Leave all stalks intact for the first year. During the plant’s second season, only harvest 3-4 stalks to ensure the plant stays strong for the following seasons. [1] X Research source
- A rhubarb plant can produce stalks for up to 20 years, but usually needs to be divided after 5-6 years.
- Expect to get about 2 to 3 pounds (0.91 to 1.36 kg) of stalks from a mature plant each season.
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Harvest rhubarb from May to June in the northern hemisphere. Rhubarb’s harvesting season only lasts 8-10 weeks in the spring and early summer. Start harvesting in May and plan to stop harvesting at the end of June.
- Rhubarb stalks get tough and woody as the summer progresses. Harvesting too late in the season can also stunt growth for the following season.
- You may have heard that the oxalic acid from the leaves moves into the stems during periods of cold weather and makes them poisonous. This is debated among horticultural experts, and some say still-crisp stalks aren’t toxic. [2] X Research source To be on the safe side, avoid eating rhubarb after a frost.
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Let the stalks grow to 10–15 inches (25–38 cm) long. The longer the stalk, the more flavorful it will be, so avoid harvesting rhubarb stalks that are shorter than 10 inches (25 cm). [3] X Research source Don’t count the leaves in your measurement—just the stalks.
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Avoid judging a rhubarb plant's ripeness by its color. Contrary to popular belief, how red or vibrant the stalks are does not determine how ripe the plant is. Not all rhubarb is a deep red hue. Some varieties of rhubarb are speckled (pink) or green when they're ready to be picked. [4] X Research source
- Canada Red and Crimson Red varieties produce bright red stalks.
- Victoria and Glaskin’s Perpetual are speckled or pink varieties of rhubarb.
- Turkish and Riverside Giant are common green varieties of rhubarb.
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Choose stalks that are firm and crisp. Feel the stalks with your hand to make sure they’re good. [5] X Research source Pull and discard any stalks that are damaged or mushy. [6] X Research source
- Rhubarb stalks usually grow to 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) in diameter. [7] X Research source Don’t harvest from a plant whose stalks are very thin, which is an indication that the plant is weak.
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Twist and pull the stalks as close as possible to the base of the plant. Always twist rhubarb stalks clean from the crown, as twisting or pulling invigorates the roots to produce more. Pull gently, while twisting the stalk to ensure it comes away neatly. [8] X Research source
- Don’t cut rhubarb! Knife wounds can lead to crown rot, which can destroy your rhubarb plants. [9] X Research source
- Make sure not to cut or damage the central bulb of the plant which can stunt its growth.
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Pull or cut the leaves from the stalk and discard them. The leaves contain oxalic acid, which is poisonous. Never eat the leaves! Instead, cut them off the stalk using a sharp knife and discard them. [10] X Research source
- Even though the leaves contain oxalic acid, you can add them to the compost . The oxalic acid won’t be absorbed by plant roots. [11] X Research source
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Collect only a third of the stalks per plant each season. Over-harvesting will weaken the plant. [12] X Research source Always leave at least 6 stalks on the plant at all times. [13] X Research source
- Just leave the rest of the plant intact instead of cutting it down. The foliage will die back while the roots store food reserves for the winter. [14] X Research source
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Remove broken or flowering stalks from the base. Broken stalks on the rhubarb plant drain its energy and can allow disease and infection in. Either trim and eat the pieces or discard them. Cut the entirety of flowering stalks from the base of the plant to prevent weakening the plant and decreasing stalk yield.
- Trim off leaves that are wilted or eaten by insects so they don't affect the rest of the plant.
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Store rhubarb in the fridge for 2-4 weeks. Don't wash the rhubarb until you're ready to eat it. [15] X Research source Place your rhubarb in a perforated plastic bag to allow air to circulate around it. The best spot in the fridge for your rhubarb is the vegetable crisper drawer because it has the highest humidity and won’t dry out the stalks. [16] X Research source
- Keep your refrigerator at a temperature of 32 to 40 °F (0 to 4 °C) for storing rhubarb .
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Freeze the rhubarb for up to 8 months. Rinse your rhubarb and pat it dry with a paper towel. Then chop the rhubarb into 1 ⁄ 4 –1 inch (0.64–2.54 cm) pieces and put them in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Place the container in the freezer to use within 8 months. [17] X Research source
- If you’re using a freezer bag, remove any excess air before sealing it shut.
- Label your container or bag with the date and the contents using a permanent marker.
- Frozen rhubarb is great for smoothies or baking rhubarb pies .
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Can rhubarb to preserve it for up to 2 years. Wash the stalks and cut them into 1 ⁄ 2 –1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) pieces. Put them in a large saucepan with 1/2 cup (100 g) of sugar for each quart of rhubarb. Once you see juice appear, heat the mixture gently to boiling, then pack the rhubarb in hot quart jars . Leave 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of headspace, remove any air bubbles, wipe the rims, and seal the jars. Boil them in a water bath for 15 minutes, let them cool, and store them. [18] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan you collect seeds from rhubarb?Don Tipping is an Organic Farmer based in Williams, Oregon. With almost 30 years of full-time experience with organic farming, Don owns and operates a mail-order seed company, Siskiyou Seeds, which is a bio-regional seed hub. He specializes in growing crops, including vegetables, flowers, medicinal and culinary herbs, and seed crops. Don is a member of the Organic Seed Alliance and has a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) from the University of California, Davis.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.
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QuestionCan large amounts of rhubarb leaves and stalks go in the garden compost bins?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYep, 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.
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QuestionFor the first year, do I leave the stalks and leaves on the plant all through the winter?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYep, you sure do! The foliage will die back and the plant will produce new stalks in the spring.
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Tips
- Divide your rhubarb every 5-6 years. Plant the divided crowns about 3 feet (0.91 m) apart in a spot with full sun that has rich, well-draining soil. [19] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Avoid eating or using rhubarb after a frost, as the cold weather may cause the oxalic acid to travel from the leaves to the stems.Thanks
- Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which is poisonous. Do not eat them or feed them to animals. Cut them off the stalks immediately after harvesting and discard or compost them. [20] X Research sourceThanks
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Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about gardening, check out our in-depth interview with Don Tipping .
References
- ↑ https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec797/html
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1997/5-2-1997/rhubarbsafe.html
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-correct-way-harvest-rhubarb
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1997/5-2-1997/rhubarbsafe.html
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec797/html
- ↑ https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1631
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-correct-way-harvest-rhubarb
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1997/5-2-1997/rhubarbsafe.html
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec797/html
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1631
- ↑ https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/2021/05/13/how-to-freeze-rhubarb-this-spring/
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/rhubarb_fruit_or_vegetable
- ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/rhubarb-rheum-rhabarbarum/
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1997/5-2-1997/rhubarbsafe.html
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To harvest rhubarb, wait at least 1 year after planting your rhubarb before harvesting it so it continues growing after you remove the stalks. Harvest your rhubarb in the summer or spring when the stalks are at least 10 inches (25 cm) tall. Grab a stalk near the base of the plant and pull gently away from the plant while twisting the stalk. The stalk will snap out of the base of the plant. If you prefer, you can also use shears to cut the stalk out. Then, grab the base of the leaves where they meet the stalk and pull them out by hand to remove them. You can harvest multiple stalks at a time, but be careful not to remove more than 1/3 of the plant’s stalks if you want it to continue growing. For tips on storing your harvested rhubarb, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Rhubarb has always been a favorite of mine to grow and put to use in ever so many dishes. Moving from Minnesota to the Phoenix area presented a real problem. I strove to grow rhubarb as a perennial here in the valley for years, but the extreme heat made it an annual. With persistence, however, I now have three beautiful plants going into their second year. This article gave me the knowledge to continue growing and harvesting with the best results, barring any unforeseen happenings." ..." more
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"Rhubarb has always been a favorite of mine to grow and put to use in ever so many dishes. Moving from Minnesota to the Phoenix area presented a real problem. I strove to grow rhubarb as a perennial here in the valley for years, but the extreme heat made it an annual. With persistence, however, I now have three beautiful plants going into their second year. This article gave me the knowledge to continue growing and harvesting with the best results, barring any unforeseen happenings."
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"We have had a rhubarb plant out back since our parents bought the house almost 40 years ago. The original owners planted the rhubarb at least 80 years ago and has been bringing in much loved and appreciated yields every year. Unfortunately, my father passed last fall and as I never learned how to properly harvest the plant, this article was exactly what I needed. I like to read the steps and have a visual. Thank you. I am sure our strawberry rhubarb pie will be delicious tonight!"
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"I recently was taught incorrectly on harvesting by cutting the rhubarb with a knife. Your article says twist and pull. So since I am making rhubarb salsa from my neighbors plant, I am glad I read your article, and won't be hacking away with a knife! Storage tip was excellent as well! 5 stars! "
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"The whole article is helpful, because this is the first time I have harvested any rhubarb, as the plant is only 2 years old. I thought you cut the rhubarb, but now know to twist it off. Thanks so much. Hope I get at least 2 cups so I can make a rhubarb pie."
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"Great service and help to me grow fine rhubarb for my family in our new home. Trimming topping, splitting and getting the plant to stay fuller and taller by the recommended bottomless pails to force the roots; the news made my day from our trusted site."
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