Heres how and when to harvest rhubarb so plants keep growing and stay healthy.
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Fresh rhubarb is a springtime treat thatsdelicious in jams, jellies, andstrawberry rhubarb pie.
However, the stalk color doesnt indicate whether rhubarb is ripe.
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Different varieties of rhubarb have different colored stalks, and its fine to harvest rhubarb with pale stems.
Cutting rhubarb stalks can make plants more vulnerable to pests and diseases like crown rot.
Also, cut stalks dont regrow, and they can redirect the plants energy away from producing new stems.
The stem should come away easily from the plant at the root line with a quiet pop.
If the stalk is difficult to remove, move your hand closer to the soil line and pull again.
Also, remember that young plants should not be harvested as aggressively as older, established rhubarb plants.
Remove the Leaves
Immediately after harvesting, use a sharp knife to cut the rhubarb leaves off the stalks.
Rhubarb leaves are toxic, and they can cause harvested rhubarb stalks to wither prematurely.
While those rhubarb leaves should never be eaten, itssafe to compost them.
For longer-term storage, rhubarb can be frozen orcanned and stored in the pantry.
However, thin stems may also indicate that the rhubarbplants need fertilizeror are growing too close to other plants.
Also, the stalks can become woody and unpleasant to eat as the season progresses.
Just be sure to bring the stalks indoors soon after harvesting so they dont start to wilt.
National Capital Poison Center
Rhubarb.
