% of people told us that this article helped them. United Kingdom. Use caution when harvesting common burdock as the burs and bristles may scratch the skin and some people develop an allergic reaction to the plant. For tips on storing your harvested rhubarb, read on! With persistence, however, I now have three beautiful plants going into their second year. Trimming topping, splitting and, "I should have read this article sooner. The beautiful veggie, whose color can range from pale pink to deep maroon, is full of flavor and sweetness, similar to a fruit. Can I stop my rhubarb from producing more fruit? Here’s how to plant, grow, and harvest your own rhubarb. ", the first year and not planting in the sunniest areas. I wanted to begin growing it a few years ago because I heard of rhubarb pie. Simmer 1 lb of chopped rhubarb leaves in 1 qt of water for half an hour. Pick leaves as needed. It's up to you. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 5 stars! In the summer, after the plant has matured, harvest the roots by digging around the plant with a spade until the plant is loose enough to pull from the ground, advises the University of Florida. Then, grab the base of the leaves where they meet the stalk and pull them out by hand to remove them. Application of Callisto 480SC to rhubarb that is not dormant will result in crop injury. Yes it does, when you only transplant the roots. Great site and pictures helped me understand the removal of the stalks. Other names for Common burdock are Burs, Wild burdock, petite bardane, Clotbur, Lesser burdock, rhubarbe sauvage and toques. It is early February. "I'm a first-time grower of this plant, but I love it! Pull stalks from the crown with a sideways, twisting motion. Remove any flowering stalks, too. The leaves of the young plant may also be edible, according to Plants for a Future. Yes. "First time growing rhubarb, and this is the third year. Got a rhubarb plant from a friend. Ireland. Harvest rhubarb stems when they’re green or red. Don't wash the rhubarb until you're ready to eat it. Keep your refrigerator at a temperature of 32 to 40 °F (0 to 4 °C) for. Expect to get about 2 to 3 pounds (0.91 to 1.36 kg) of stalks from a mature plant each season. She is an outdoor lover who spends her weekends tending her raised garden and small orchard of fruit trees. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Rhubarb should not be harvested in the first year of planting; the leaves will nourish the roots to establish a good healthy plant. So this article was very, "I heard that pulling rhubarb was the way to harvest it, but remember my Dad cutting it. Frozen rhubarb is great for smoothies or baking. You can eat the leaves raw in a salad or cooked as you would spinach. Unfortunately, my father passed last fall and as I never learned how to properly harvest the plant, this article was exactly what I needed. Harvesting and storage. If you’re using a freezer bag, remove any excess air before sealing it shut. This gave me the information to, "The illustrations that went along with the text were helpful and informative. I am sure our strawberry rhubarb pie will be delicious tonight! Gather leaves in the spring, advises Taste of the Wild. This measurement should only include the stalk itself, not the leaves. Thanks so much. To the untrained eye, Common burdock is easily confused with garden varieties of rhubarb.. Last Updated: November 17, 2020 Otherwise, it doesn't matter. 1. Pronounced roo-barb, is a funny-sounding name for a vegetable isn’t it? University of California, Irvine: Rumex hymenosepalus Torrey. Stalking the Wild Rhubarb I’m learning how to forage and spring is the best time to practice because there’s really not that much growing, yet. Turkish and Riverside Giant are 2 common green varieties of rhubarb. If you prefer, you can also use shears to cut the stalk out. ", 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. It's mature enough to harvest now, and I didn't have a clue. Special features of Wild Rhubarb Wet sites. How to harvest Wild Rhubarb. Thank you. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Lift out a section of the crown. But in the second year, your rhubarb will be ready to harvest. Approved. This article received 52 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If you have established plants, three or more years old, rhubarb is ready to harvest from spring onwards, as soon as the stalks are long enough – between 30-60cm, depending on the variety. The stalk will snap out of the base of the plant. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Everything you need to know about Wild Rhubarb (Gunnera perpensa), including propagation, ideal conditions and common pests and problems. Boil the stems or bake them into a pie. This article gave me the knowledge to continue growing and harvesting with the best results, barring any unforeseen happenings. Pull Stalks: The best way to harvest rhubarb is to grab the stalk and pull or twist it simultaneously down and sideways, until it snaps off. Picking rhubarb is fairly simple: just gently grab each stalk at the base and twist it slightly while gently pulling it. Do not pull stalks out to remove, instead, cut the stalks at the base of the rhubarb plant or twist gently at the base allowing the base and roots to stay undisturbed. As funny as it may sound, it’s a fun plant to grow. Leaving the leaves attached dries out the stalks and causes them to wilt faster. The spring is also the best time to pull out the young roots, which can be cooked like beet greens. Your article says twist and, "The whole article is helpful, because this is the first time I have harvested any rhubarb, as the plant is only 2, "Great service and help to me grow fine rhubarb for my family in our new home. U.S. National Plant Germplasm System: Taxon: Rumex hymenosepalus Torr. Choose a country to see content specific to your location. ", years old. Run your hand along the length of the stalk. The best time when to harvest rhubarb is when the stalks of the leaves reach at least 10 inches long. Not only does the plant spread diseases like powdery mildew to healthy crops, but the burs and seeds of the plant can get entangled in sheep wool, decreasing its quality and value. Wild rhubarb (Rumex hymenosepalus) is closely related to garden rhubarb and is primarily found in the central and western United States. Lack of water, intense heat, and frost are the parts of the season which end, or at least will affect the harvest. Glad to know you twist and. 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. ", advice. or longer. Compared to starting rhubarb from crowns. Some of my rhubarb stalks appear hollow and squishy, can they be consumed? I now have nice plants. But many people are stumped when it comes to working out what to do with their rhubarb harvest from a polytunnel or elsewhere in the garden. Pick the wild rhubarb stems in the spring. I have been growing rhubarb for a few years. Once I knew there was a pie in my future, I got busy planting. After reading this, I realize I did a lot wrong, like harvesting, "I didn't know that I should remove the flower stalk from my 2yr old rhubarb and am sad that I should wait another, "This article was of great help, particularly on how to harvest the rhubarb and that the leaves can be used for, "This article helped immensely. ", https://www.rhubarb-central.com/harvesting-rhubarb.html, http://www.gettystewart.com/how-and-when-to-harvest-rhubarb/, https://www.almanac.com/plant/rhubarb?page=2, https://harvesttotable.com/harvest-store-rhubarb/, https://zestfulkitchen.com/ask-lo-store-and-freeze-fresh-rhubarb-tip/, https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/10676-the-best-way-to-store-rhubarb, https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/how-to-freeze-rhubarb/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Various plants are referred to as "wild rhubarb" and resemble the rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) that is grown in gardens and often used in pie. Cooking in water and changing the water multiple times is usually necessary to remove the tannin. The bristles can also cause irritation and sores on livestock that graze on the plant, advises North Dakota State University. Pick the wild rhubarb stems in the spring. The first years I harvested way too much. Do I cut back Rhubarb in Autumn the first time? Common burdock is harvested in the spring and summer. Prior to harvesting, ensure that the plant is healthy and free of diseases. ", planted the rhubarb at least 80 years ago and has been bringing in much loved and appreciated yields every year. Controls lamb's-quarters, redroot pigweed and wild mustard.. Caution: apply to dormant (prior to spring green-up) rhubarb. Rhubarb is largely water and may usually be … There are two ways how to harvest rhubarb. To take a start from an established plant, use a sharp garden spade to slice down through the crown of the plant. Select three or four large rhubarb leaves that weren't sprayed with chemicals. Next year, you can harvest for a week or two, and by year three you can have a normal 8-10 week harvest season. Allow rhubarb to establish for one year before taking your first harvest. Strain, adding 4 drops of dish soap (for "stick ability"), then transfer to an empty spray bottle. In early July, give the plant a chance to gain some strength over the summer. ", I needed all the info you have supplied me. Should I leave the small and over-ripe stalks on the plant? Some stalks are naturally larger than others. "Rhubarb has always been a favorite of mine to grow and put to use in ever so many dishes. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. We want our rhubarb, "This article answered my immediate question and went on to further enlighten me about my rhubarb plants, without, "This answered many questions, even though I have been raising Rhubarb for a number of years. This will ensure that the plant has established itself well enough for the year to be able to tolerate being harvested. ", wondered how I should harvest it. What shall I do with it? I found the information I was, "Want to have my own rhubarb, but I didn't have a clue about how to grow and harvest it. Some varieties do not turn red when they are fully ripe. Boil for ten minutes in 4 cups of water. Harvest it during the spring and summer months to use in pies, baked goods, chutneys, and more. Boil the stems or bake them into a pie. WHEN TO HARVEST RHUBARB. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Harvest-Rhubarb-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Harvest-Rhubarb-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Harvest-Rhubarb-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid385033-v4-728px-Harvest-Rhubarb-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"