Harvesting Rhubarb - When and How to Harvest/Pick Rhubarb Stalks

Harvesting Rhubarb
When and How To
Harvest (Pick) Rhubarb Stalks

Harvesting, or picking, Rhubarb is a very simple process.

Rhubarb is harvested by hand, and ONLY the stalks are edible.

Here are Helpful Tips for Harvesting Rhubarb from your Garden:

In Canada and the United States, the rhubarb season runs from about April to September, although it can also be grown forced.

Rhubarb stalks are approximately 10 - 15 inches long when ready to harvest. The length and the thickness of the stalks varies according to weather conditions and the variety of the rhubarb.

Rhubarb stalks should not be picked during the first year of planting. It is best not to pick these stalks to allow the leaves to nourish the roots for the next year's growth. However, if the plant is growing very vigorously the first year, it is okay to pick it "lightly", but wait until the second, (and subsequent years), to harvest the entire plant.

In Northern U.S. and Canada rhubarb can be harvested about every 4 to 5 weeks, or about 3 times a season. Lack of water, intense heat, and frost are the parts of the season which end, or at least will affect the harvest.

Rhubarb plant Stalks should be firm when harvested. If they are harvested too late, they become tough. Stalks should be free of insect damage and disease. If the leaves are spotted, or have hole in them, or the edges are "eaten" by insects or slugs, that will not affect the stalks, and, since the leaves are discarded, you can use these stalks without any concerns.

When harvesting rhubarb, almost all of the rhubarb stalks may be harvested at one time, or you can harvest selectively over the growing season period. It is recommended to leave about one-third of the developed stalks when harvesting the entire plant. However, when you make the last rhubarb harvest of the season, remove all of the leaves, to avoid rotting leaves affecting the crown.

Rhubarb is not cut out, but rather pulled out. "Open" up the rhubarb plant and wedge your index finger way down inside the stalk, encircle it with your hand, and pull slowly but firmly while twisting the stalk at the "base", (also referred to as the "crown" or the "rhizome").

Cut off most of the leaf, leaving about 2 - 3 inches, (this is called a "crowfoot"). Leaving a little bit of the leaf will help to keep moisture in the stalk, so it will stay fresh and crisp longer. This is especially important if you plan to store the rhubarb in your fridge for several days. If you are planning on freezing or canning your rhubarb, you can chop off the entire leaf of each stalk. The easiest way to chop off the leaves is with a sharp knife striking the leaf diagonally with a quick flick of the wrist.

Do you eat Rhubarb RAW? It appears that many people do!
GO to Can you Eat Rhubarb Raw?

The leaves of rhubarb are poisonous, so it is important that, when harvesting rhubarb, you discard the leaves appropriately. Or, better still, make homemade, natural organic pesticide using the leaves! Talk about frugal gardening!

GO to Organic Pesticide and Herbicide Recipes to Make at Home

When harvesting rhubarb for market or commercial use, it is advisable to wear gloves when handling the stalks. This is due to the fact that the oil from your fingers makes purple bruise-like marks on the stalks wherever it is touched. This is not a concern for the home gardener!

When harvesting rhubarb, remember that the colour of the rhubarb does not determine when it is ready for harvest. It is the variety of the rhubarb which determines the colour of the stalks. The red or green colour does not affect the flavour, although people prefer the redder varieties.

After harvesting rhubarb it can be wrapped, and kept in your refrigerator for several days, or stored by freezing or canning. After harvesting my rhubarb, I like to use as much fresh rhubarb as I need for baking or cooking for the week. I like to freeze the rest of the rhubarb. Freezing rhubarb is a very simple process. I always have a lot of rhubarb in the freezer for making all sorts of delicious baked and cooked recipes all winter long.

If your rhubarb plants have been hit by freezing temperatures they can still be harvested as long as the stalks are still upright and firm. The leaves may show some frost damage, but since they are discarded, this is not a worry. If the stems appear to be mushy and soft, do not eat them. Severe cold injury may cause the oxalic acid crystals in the leaves to migrate to the stalks increasing the concern of poisoning by consumption of the stalks. If in doubt about the safety of eating stalks which have been hit by frost, do not eat them.

Rhubarb, a vegetable(!), makes the most delectable rhubarb pies, tarts, cookies, squares and bars, cakes, cheesecakes, muffins, breads, puddings, desserts, sauces and toppings, sorbet and sherbet, ice cream, drinks, juice, punch, chilled soups, and rhubarb wine!

Picked Harvested Rhubarb
It can be baked or stewed, and also makes amazing dinner or supper menus! Use rhubarb with pork, beef, chicken, fish, or lamb to make a scrumptious meal!

It is fun combining rhubarb with different fruits, combining the tart goodness of rhubarb with the sweetness of other fruits! A very common combination is rhubarb and strawberries.

Growing rhubarb takes VERY little effort, and harvesting rhubarb always produces an abundant reward!!

GO to GROWING Rhubarb

GO to FORCING Rhubarb

GO to Rhubarb PLANT CARE

GO to Rhubarb VARIETIES

GO to ORNAMENTAL Rhubarb

GO to PLANTING Rhubarb

GO to TRANSPLANTING Rhubarb

GO to Rhubarb COMPANION Gardening

GO to More COMPANION Plant Ideas

GO to Rhubarb SEEDS

GO to Rhubarb FLOWERS