[Lottiegob]

We have been told by an experienced plot-holder on our site not to pick rhubarb after September as the oxalic acid from the leaves leaches down into the stalks and makes them inedible - is this right? Would like to know your thoughts.

[wil4025]

I dont know 100% but I think thats not right. You can harvest anytime.

[3759allen]

i can't be any help but from what i've been reading on here they shouldn't be pulled that late in the year as they need the energy to strengthen the crown for next season rather than producing more stalk and leaf.

[mumofstig]

I have just pulled a few sticks to make my rhubarb and apple chutney, but that's the first I've pulled for weeks and I shan't pull any more til next spring... the plant needs time to recover.

They do get very acidic, but they're not inedible - just that you shouldn't really be pulling them at this time of year

[syks grower]

You can harvest rhubarb in september and it is useable if a little less tender than in the spring.

You must take a judgement on the state of your plant if it has lots of stalks the you can take a few  but not more than 25 %.
If due to the dry summer the plant has relatively few stalks then DO NOT pick any.

If you dont over crop the plant will be ok for next year

[Salmo]

I seldom pick rhubarb after about the end of June. Not only does oxalic acid build up but the stems become very stringy and generally unpleasant to eat.  If for some reason the plant has suddenly decided to put out new leaves I see no reason not to eat those. Plants can occasionally do that, for instance, when there is a lot of rain.

[diospyros]

I think it's one of those rules dressed up in a scary reason.  I thought it was don't pull after midsummer - and remembering the rule always puts me in mind of Clumber Park so I must have heard it there, but because building up the plant's strength is not persuasive enough they say it'll poison you!

My new plant is looking huge and healthy and has just put up two new leaves so I was also thinking I might take those...

[SusieB]

I see no reason to believe that the oxalic acid reasoning is a scare poisoning story.

I understand oxalic acid has an effect on calcium in the body.  Don't know how much rhubarb would cause problems, but I leave mine after July, because the texture and flavour deteriorate anyway.

[Salmo]

You would probably need to eat a lot of rhubarb to be poisoned, i.e. killed off, but the high oxalic acid content makes it unpleasantly astringent.

[polly nator]

I've always believed end June to be the cut off point.

[Annen]

If it is still growing strongly, I carry on picking, but usually by August it is looking pretty tired and the stalks get quite tough. I made jam from a late picking last year and it had inedible lumps of stalk in and had to be sieved.

[brownp]

I transplanted mine from the allotment into my garden this spring. I have left it alone to avoid weaknening the plant, it is enormous and thriving...it seems a waste to just let the sticks fade away at the end of the year....
Think I'm going to resist the temptation so that it is stronger next year....

[BobE]

I stop at the end of July, my neighbour picks until August the 15th