Rhubarb is a plant that only brave gardeners grow because they know how delicious it is. This unusual and sometimes hard to find plant If you’ve never grown rhubarb before, you might be wondering things like, “How do I know when rhubarb is ready?” and “When should I pick rhubarb?” Read on to find out more about when to pick rhubarb.
Rhubarb is a unique and tasty plant that is commonly used in desserts like pies, crumbles, and jams. Its red stalks have a tart, sour flavor that pairs deliciously with sweet fruits and custards. Rhubarb is usually ready to harvest in early spring through early summer, but what about late summer into August – can you still harvest rhubarb then?
Overview of Rhubarb
Before jumping into whether late summer rhubarb harvesting is possible let’s go over some rhubarb basics first.
Rhubarb is not actually a vegetable, but is botanically classed as a vegetable as its stalks are used as vegetables in cooking. It is a perennial plant that dies back in winter but regrows large leaves and tasty stalks each spring.
Rhubarb stalks emerge green but turn red as they mature The leaves are poisonous and should always be removed and discarded before eating the stalks. The oxalic acid in the leaves gives rhubarb its sour taste
There are two main types of rhubarb – forced and main crop. Forced rhubarb is harvested earlier under cover. Main crop rhubarb is grown fully outdoors. Forced rhubarb stalks are sweeter, more tender and have a finer texture.
Traditional Rhubarb Harvesting Season
The traditional harvest season for main crop outdoor rhubarb is early spring through early summer. The exact harvest window can vary a bit depending on your climate and rhubarb variety.
Here are some general rhubarb harvesting guidelines:
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Newly planted rhubarb should not be harvested at all the first year after planting. This prevents weakening the crowns.
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For established rhubarb plants, begin harvesting stalks in spring once they reach an adequate length, usually by April or May.
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Peak harvesting time is mid-spring through early summer, around May to early June.
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Stop harvesting rhubarb by mid to late June so plants can recover and store energy for next year’s growth.
So traditionally, rhubarb harvest ends by June or maybe July in some areas. But what if you didn’t get around to harvesting all your rhubarb – can you still pick some in August?
Can You Harvest Rhubarb in August?
Many gardeners wonder if they can still harvest rhubarb into August or if the stalks become inedible or dangerous to eat by then.
The good news is rhubarb stalks remain perfectly safe to eat and tasty through summer and into August. There is no truth to the myth that rhubarb stalks become poisonous or overly high in oxalic acid later in summer.
With that said, here are some important tips on late summer rhubarb harvesting:
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Only harvest a few stalks per plant, not the whole plant. Rhubarb needs to recover and store energy in its crown for next year’s growth.
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Harvest the thickest, largest stalks and leave smaller, thinner ones. The smaller stalks still need to mature.
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Stop harvesting any rhubarb plants that appear small or weak.
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Water rhubarb well after harvesting late in summer to help it recover.
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Add compost or mulch around the plants to replenish nutrients.
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Don’t harvest after August. Let the plants fully rejuvenate before winter dormancy.
Reasons to Stop Harvesting Rhubarb in Mid-Summer
Even though rhubarb stalks are safe to eat in August, there are still good reasons to stop harvesting by mid-summer:
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Frequent harvesting weakens rhubarb plants over time. The stalks are a major source of energy and nutrients for the plant.
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Smaller, thinner stalks that haven’t fully matured need time to bulk up before winter dormancy.
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Rhubarb needs time to recover before going dormant. Harvesting too late reduces plant vigor and next year’s yields.
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Late summer rhubarb stalks are thicker, tougher and stringier. Spring and early summer stalks are more tender.
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Overharvesting rhubarb year after year can kill the plant. It only has a finite amount of energy to regrow each season.
So for best long-term rhubarb plant health and maximal harvests every year, it’s ideal to stop harvesting rhubarb by mid-summer. But taking a few stalks here and there into August won’t seriously harm the plant. Just harvest lightly and properly care for it afterwards.
How to Harvest Rhubarb
When harvesting rhubarb, it’s important to do it correctly to minimize stress and damage to the plant:
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Grasp the stalk near the base and gently twist and pull upwards in one smooth motion. Don’t yank or tear the stalks.
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Use a sharp knife to cleanly remove any leaves, leaving some stem material. Discard the poisonous leaves – do not compost them.
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Harvest the largest, thickest stalks first and leave small, thin stalks to mature more.
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Never harvest more than 2/3 of the available stalks. Leave at least 1/3 of stems on the plant.
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Allow 8-10 weeks of recovery time between harvests. Water and fertilize plants after harvesting.
Storing and Preserving Rhubarb
Rhubarb is very versatile in the kitchen. It can be used in:
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Pies
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Cobblers
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Crumble toppings
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Jams and jellies
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Sauces
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Juices
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Smoothies
Rhubarb freezes exceptionally well for long-term storage. To freeze:
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Wash, trim and chop rhubarb stalks.
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Spread pieces on a sheet pan and freeze until solid.
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Transfer to freezer bags or containers. Frozen rhubarb will keep for up to 1 year.
Other options are canning chopped rhubarb or making rhubarb syrup to enjoy all year long.
In conclusion, rhubarb can be lightly harvested into August but it’s best practice to finish harvesting by mid-summer. A few late season stalks won’t significantly harm the plant but regular late harvesting reduces vigor over time. For best results, only harvest rhubarb until June or July and let it fully recover before winter dormancy sets in. With proper care, your rhubarb will thrive for years!
How to Harvest Rhubarb
Harvesting rhubarb isnt difficult either. There are two ways how to harvest rhubarb. Cut off stalks that are at least 10 inches (25 cm) long with a sharp knife or shears. ) or longer. The second method is to slowly pull the stalk while leaning it to one side until it breaks off from the plant. Never harvest all the stalks off your rhubarb plant. Once you’ve cut off the plant’s stalks, separate the leaves from the stalks and remove them. The leaves of the rhubarb plant are poisonous and should never be eaten. That is all there is to harvesting rhubarb. Rhubarb stalks are tasty and can be used in many recipes now that you know when and how to pick them.
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When to Harvest Rhubarb
How to tell when rhubarb is ripe is as easy as walking out to the plant. To be honest, rhubarb is “ripe” all spring and summer. But for the health of the plant, there are certain times that you should make your rhubarb harvest. When the leaf stalks are at least 10 inches (25 cm) long is the best time to pick rhubarb. ) long. This will make sure that the plant has grown well enough by the end of the year to handle being picked. You can pick some rhubarb stalks before this, but don’t pick too many or the plant will die. Knowing when to harvest rhubarb also means knowing when the season is over. You can technically pick rhubarb until fall, but remember that the plant needs to store energy for the winter. In late June or early July, harvest your rhubarb much less quickly or not at all. This will give the plant time to store energy for the winter. Again, it can be picked until the frost, but do so sparingly or you risk killing the plant. Also, if you just planted rhubarb, you should wait two years before picking the whole plant. This will ensure the plant is sufficiently established.
Can you harvest rhubarb in August?
Can you harvest all rhubarb stalks at once?
Don’t harvest all of the rhubarb stalks at once: always allow at least one third of the stalks to remain, so that there isn’t too much strain on the plant. MISTAKE #4: Cutting the rhubarb stalks
When should I stop harvesting rhubarb?
However, once the stalks become thin, stop harvesting. This means your rhubarb is tired and needs time to recoup! Always leave a minimum of 2 stalks after harvest and be sure to remove the complete stalk. This will encourage the plant to produce more stalks for the next season.
When should rhubarb be harvested?
MISTAKE #1: Harvesting the rhubarb too late Rhubarb is generally ready to be harvested beginning in April, and ending in late June. The stalks continue to ripen after that time, but they should no longer be harvested and consumed.
How do you harvest rhubarb?
During its peak growth in the spring and early summer, there are several different ways to harvest your rhubarb. Pick stalks as needed: Harvest stalks of the plant during the growing season as you need them for your cooking or baking. This will also help thin out the plant and prevent some of the larger stalks from over-maturing.