In the Midwest, spring can be seen when trees start to bud, mud starts to smell as snow melts and mixes with soil, dandelions start to grow, and rhubarb season starts.
Having a spring birthday, I think I have always been more in tune with the signs of spring. I’ve loved the new growth and mischief that spring brings for as long as I can remember. I remember very clearly “swimming” in melt-off puddles in the middle of the yard! That love has grown (see what I did there?) since I’ve become an adult and a gardener. It means it’s planting and soon to be growing season!.
Once the snow is gone (and in northern Wisconsin, we still have a TON of it because it’s going to be 70 degrees soon!), it’s so much fun to pull back the leaves and other junk to find the first growth of rhubarb and other spring plants. Because rhubarb season is such a sign of spring, let’s talk rhubarb and cooking with it!.
Rhubarb is a unique and tart spring treat that makes for delicious pies, crisps and other desserts. But this special vegetable (yes, it’s technically a vegetable!) has a short window of availability during the year. So when exactly can you get your hands on fresh rhubarb? Let’s take a look at the details of the rhubarb growing season.
Understanding Rhubarb Seasonality
Rhubarb is a cool weather crop meaning it thrives in chillier temperatures. Hot summer weather causes the stalks to become stringy and bitter. So rhubarb reaches peak season in spring and peters out as temperatures climb.
Specifically, in most regions you can expect fresh field grown rhubarb from:
- Early to Mid Spring – Late March to early April
- Mid to Late Spring – April through May
- Early Summer – June
The season starts when the chill of winter transitions to milder weather. Stalks become sweeter and more colorful as spring progresses.
Regional Differences
Timing varies slightly depending on where you live. Here’s a breakdown:
- Northern States – April to early June
- Pacific Northwest – March to July
- New England – April to June
- Midwest – April to July
- California – February to June
In cold climates, rhubarb emerges later in spring. Hot regions may harvest earlier and longer into summer.
Start of the Season
When does rhubarb first appear? Here’s what to expect:
- South – February and March
- Midwest – Late March to Mid April
- Northeast – Mid April to Early May
- Northwest – Late March
Look for the first signs of rhubarb in late winter in warm areas and early to mid spring in colder zones.
Greenhouse Rhubarb
You can get a jump start on rhubarb season with hothouse or greenhouse grown varieties. These indoor plants produce stalks:
- As early as late winter in some regions
- 1 to 2 months before field rhubarb
Greenhouse rhubarb gives you access before the main season hits. But it comes at a higher price.
Peak Availability
When does rhubarb reach peak supply and quality?
- Most areas hit peak mid to late April through May.
- This aligns with strawberry season, ideal for pies!
- Rhubarb remains abundant into early June in most regions.
- Stalks decline in quality and availability in mid to late summer.
April through June delivers the best rhubarb in terms of supply, quality, and price.
Harvesting at Home
If you grow rhubarb, you can harvest:
- 1-2 stalks the first year after planting crowns.
- 4-6 stalks the second year.
- 8 or more in maturity after 3+ years.
Don’t overharvest the first couple seasons as the plants establish. Allow them to store energy in their roots.
Storing Fresh Rhubarb
To extend the usable life of fresh rhubarb:
- Refrigerate unwashed stalks in perforated plastic bags.
- It will keep 2-4 weeks chilled.
- Blanch and freeze for longer term storage.
- Preserve through canning, drying, or juicing.
Proper storage can help you enjoy rhubarb for months beyond the season.
Uses for Rhubarb
What can you make with rhubarb when it’s in season?
- Classic rhubarb pie with strawberries
- Sweet rhubarb crisp or cobbler
- Tart rhubarb paired with duck, pork, or chicken
- Pickled rhubarb
- Rhubarb sauce and preserves
- Rhubarb mocktails and cocktails like margaritas
- Rhubarb jam and chutney
This versatile spring vegetable works in both sweet and savory dishes.
When to Buy Rhubarb
Now that you know the ideal season, here are some tips for purchasing:
- Shop at farmers markets in spring for local rhubarb.
- Choose stalks that are slender, firm, and bright red.
- Avoid those with wilted leaves.
- Buy only what you will use within 2-4 weeks.
- Freeze extras to enjoy later in the year.
Following the season and buying fresh will give you the best flavor and texture.
Enjoying the Short Season
The fleeting spring rhubarb season gives you a limited window to savor this tasty treat. Follow the seasonality guide for your region and make the most of rhubarb while you can! From pies to crisps to savory dishes, put those tart pink and red stalks to good use.
Rhubarb Season: Let’s cook together!
Rhubarb season is almost here! Let’s cook and bake some rhubarb treats together now that the days are getting longer and the snow is almost gone (except here, of course!).
There’s something about that combination of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb that make the tastebuds happy. So below we have two great recipes: strawberry rhubarb oat bars and strawberry rhubarb bread. I can’t get over the color!.
I’ve never been a fan of pie crust, but the crust for this simple rhubarb pie is so easy that I bet you will make it again and again! The cookies are really soft and tasty; they are a one-of-a-kind treat! Click on any of the pictures to go to the recipes!
Some fun facts about rhubarb
- Would you believe that rhubarb is a vegetable? In our house, we argue more than most about whether a food is a fruit or a vegetable. But a fruit comes from a fruiting body, which rhubarb does not have.
- The leaves of a rhubarb plant are poisonous when ingested. You can touch them, but you can’t eat them.
- That being said, you can pick rhubarb all summer long, though it gets woodier as the summer goes on. It’s not true that it gets dangerous in the late summer. Harvesting should be limited to a few stalks at a time after June so that the plant has time to store energy.
- Go to the UW Extension site to find out more about rhubarb!
When to Harvest Rhubarb & How Much of my Rhubarb should I Pick?
FAQ
What months can you buy rhubarb?
Can you buy rhubarb at the grocery store?
Is rhubarb available all year round?
What month does rhubarb come up?
When is rhubarb in stores?
Rhubarb is grown in many areas. With greenhouse production, it is available throughout much of the year. Rhubarb grown in hothouses (heated greenhouses) is called hothouse rhubarb, and is typically made available at consumer markets in early spring, before outdoor cultivated rhubarb is available. How do you buy fresh rhubarb? How to Choose Rhubarb.
When does rhubarb come to season?
Rhubarb season is late spring-mid summer Because of the way it grows, rhubarb is great for harvest in the latter part of spring. Most of the rhubarb grown and sold in America is from Oregon and Washington, in open-air fields. This means you can reasonably expect rhubarb between May and early July.
When can you pick rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a delicious and popular seasonal fruit that most people enjoy. It is also a difficult plant to grow and harvest, but the rewards make it worth the effort. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, rhubarb should be picked in early spring from March to May when temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is rhubarb safe to eat all summer?
Rhubarb stalks are best if harvested in spring and early summer, but they do not become toxic or poisonous in late summer. They can be eaten all summer long. There are two good reasons not to eat them in summer. They tend to get woody in late summer and don’t taste as good. Is rhubarb bad for kidneys?