[JohnB47]

This might sound like a pub quiz but here goes:

1. When is the latest you can pull and eat rhubarb and why?

2. Do the parts of a rhubarb stalk that are red taste better than the green parts?

3. Is there anything a gardener can do to encourage a plant to produce red stalks or is it a variety thing?

4. Is it better to cook rhubarb and then freeze it or freeze it raw, then cook it.

6. Why did the chicken... No, sorry, wrong subject. :happy:

And the prize is .... the chance to dig over my allottment!

[Trillium]

1. The end of June - because the plant needs to feed and replenish itself and if you keep picking its production source, it will struggle in future.

2. Either. Some love only the red parts, some only the green. It's personal preference.

3. More red stalks is a variety thing.

4. I've done both but prefer to cook it lightly first and then freeze.

6. Because the pub was on the other side 

[JohnB47]

Thanks Trillium.

That clears up a few things.

I'm still pulling my rhubarb but maybe it's time to stop. BTW you win the prize. When are you coming over?  Perhaps yopu could bring over a Blueberry Hardyblue? :happy:

Cheers.

[Swing Swang]

I'm happy to pull established rhubarbs until late autumn (I've one variety that only really comes into its own late August/September), but then I do run most of my crowns on a four year rotation:

Year 1 - Forced rhubarb
Year 2 - Not harvested
Year 3 - Only pulled after midsummer/four leaves always left.
Year 4 - Only pulled before midsummer

SS

[PennyS]

I'm happy to pull established rhubarbs until late autumn (I've one variety that only really comes into its own late August/September), but then I do run most of my crowns on a four year rotation:

Year 1 - Forced rhubarb
Year 2 - Not harvested
Year 3 - Only pulled after midsummer/four leaves always left.
Year 4 - Only pulled before midsummer

My goodness, you're organised!

[Swing Swang]

> My goodness, you're organised!

'fraid so!

[JRRD]

> My goodness, you're organised!

'fraid so!

so after year 4 do you dump them or divide them  or ?

I  have old plants I  need to do something with so just wondered what you do next

[PennyS]

I've got a really daft rhubarb question....

I've got a clump of rhubarb which was there when I took on the plot.  I think someone put it in last year by accident.

The clump looks like it's lots of plants fairly close together.  The bits in the ground cover about 2ft x 1ft.  Overall the leafspan makes it about 4ft x 4ft.

Now, I've only ever had really old established rhubarb before which looks like this after time.  What I can't work out is with this new stuff here, have I actually got one plant, or is it several? 

I said it was a daft question! 

[DD.]

One plant with several crowns. It can be split in the autumn when it's died down.

[PennyS]

One plant with several crowns. It can be split in the autumn when it's died down.

Thanks DD!
 

[8doubles]

There are a few answers and interesting bits here , http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/