When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

n.b83 · « **on:** February 28, 2011, 21:29 »

Hi everyone,
I have noticed today that some of my Rhubarb shoots are a very healthy size so I was just woundering 'When I can I start harvesting my crop'?

Thanks
Neil

Modified to correct spelling for search purposes

Yorkie · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2011, 21:33 »

Assuming it's a mature plant, as soon as they are long enough to do anything useful with!

I would always advise leaving at least a third of the stalks / leaves on the plant at any one time, to ensure that the plant keeps photosynthesising and producing more stalks.

JohnB47 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2011, 21:38 »

I have four plants that I can pick this year and I've already taken a few stalks from the two oldest ones - each stalk is 5" - 7" long. As Yorkie says, I'm taking care to take only a few from each plant.

kevinp · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2011, 21:40 »

So as not to start a new thread, I covered my rhubarb to protect it against the bad weather when I checked it at the weekend the stalks were around 18" tall. Now if I harvest these how should I protect the plant after this as I guess covering it again will cause it to shoot more shoots rather than grow properly.
by the way this is my first rhubarb plant so its all new to me.

Kev

n.b83 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2011, 21:44 »

Brilliant I may have a few shoots tomorrow then.

The Rhubarb has been on the plot longer then I have so its a very mature plant.

massa · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2011, 22:13 »

I wish mine was ready to take some, its only just starting to poke through!

DD. · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2011, 22:18 »

Quote from: kevinp on February 28, 2011, 21:40

So as not to start a new thread, I covered my rhubarb to protect it against the bad weather when I checked it at the weekend the stalks were around 18" tall. Now if I harvest these how should I protect the plant after this as I guess covering it again will cause it to shoot more shoots rather than grow properly.
by the way this is my first rhubarb plant so its all new to me.

Kev

You have in effect "forced" the plant and weakened it. By the book, it should now not be harvested next year.

lucywil · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2011, 07:47 »

Quote from: kevinp on February 28, 2011, 21:40

So as not to start a new thread, I covered my rhubarb to protect it against the bad weather when I checked it at the weekend the stalks were around 18" tall. Now if I harvest these how should I protect the plant after this as I guess covering it again will cause it to shoot more shoots rather than grow properly.
by the way this is my first rhubarb plant so its all new to me.

Kev

Rhubarb does not need protecting from the weather

JohnB47 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2011, 13:31 »

Quote from: massa on February 28, 2011, 22:13

I wish mine was ready to take some, its only just starting to poke through!

You might have a later cropping variety. Mine are timperly early but a friend, who lives nearby, has one that is still at the same stage as yours. He can't remember what variety his is but he knows it's not timperly early. :blink:

kevinp · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2011, 18:58 »

Quote from: lucywil on March 01, 2011, 07:47

Quote from: kevinp on February 28, 2011, 21:40
So as not to start a new thread, I covered my rhubarb to protect it against the bad weather when I checked it at the weekend the stalks were around 18" tall. Now if I harvest these how should I protect the plant after this as I guess covering it again will cause it to shoot more shoots rather than grow properly.
by the way this is my first rhubarb plant so its all new to me.

Kev

Rhubarb does not need protecting from the weather

I knew I should have asked here, everyone else said cover it to protect it from the weather, oh well rhubarb for sunday pudding

Babstreefern · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2011, 22:21 »

Some of the blokes on our allotment have early varieties and their plants are half way to being full sized - just not quite large enough to pick. Mine are just about showing their tips, as mine are a later variety.

DD. · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2011, 22:37 »

Just had a great big bowl of it with custard.

Dribble............

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When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

n.b83

When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

Yorkie

Re: When can I start to harvest my Ruhbarb?

JohnB47

Re: When can I start to harvest my Ruhbarb?

kevinp

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

n.b83

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

massa

Re: When can I start to harvest my Ruhbarb?

DD.

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

lucywil

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

JohnB47

Re: When can I start to harvest my Ruhbarb?

kevinp

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

Babstreefern

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

DD.

Re: When can I start to harvest my Rhubarb?

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