How do I know when Rhubarb is ready to cut and use?

1 Answer

Answer :

I find that there are a couple of different varieties of rhubarb; thick and skinny stalks.  Our preference is to wait until the stems are 10+ inches long and starting to get some 'red' color.  We cut with a paring knife close to the base.  Never take more than 30% of one plant (at a time).  In Minnesota, we stop cutting around the 4th of July.

Related questions

Description : How can you tell when rhubarb is ready to eat?

Last Answer : usually has red stems..............1st year don't pick any.................2nd year pick a few................3rd year pick 8 to 10 weeks.

Description : How do I cut my rhubarb?

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : When should I cut rhubarb?

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : Should i cut back my rhubarb leaves in the fall

Last Answer : Negative, let Nature take its course, unless you want to damage your plant.

Description : in the fall do I cut back the rhubarb plants or let them die down?

Last Answer : Let nature take its course.

Description : when do I cut rhubarb?

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : can rhubarb come back after it has been cut down

Last Answer : The good news is YES! It will come back as long as the root stock wasn't damaged, & that is very hard to do. It is better if there were a few leaves to gather energy from the sun, but ... & it should come back for all those strawberry/rhubarb pies & crisps that go so good with vanilla ice cream.

Description : When do I cut rhubarb and how do I cut it

Last Answer : don't cut, rather you should pull the stalk out to encourage new growth.

Description : My rhubarb is already starting to flower, do I cut the flower stalks out?

Last Answer : Too late for this year, but yes, cut the flower stalks off whenever they start to grow. It extends the plant's season of vigor.

Description : When to pick pineapple. How do I know when it is ready to cut from the plant.

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : I have 2 broccoli plants one we have a head on it ready to cut the other has a lot of white flower sprouts on it .

Last Answer : Take the one with the flowers right now cut it on a slant under it...soak it in ice water & salt outside to get the hidden bugs out............the other one should also come off. They ... ....Keep watching as it will produce other florets. Once they start to form, you have to check them daily.

Description : how can you tell when cauliflor & brocli are ready to be cut & how to cut them

Last Answer : You should take them now.....but cut them on a slant under the florets.........and more will come......not as big as the first ones but just as delicious. After taken get a big pot of ... when it starts to seperate into clusters time to take them off before the yellow flowers come on the top......

Description : when artichokes are ready for picking do you cut off, break off, or what

Last Answer : dont break off. cut anyway you want to. the stems are also edible. we often peal them and cook them with the artichoke.

Description : RTC means in consumer preferences in food processing sector. (a) Ready to cook (c) Ready to creat (b) Ready to cut (d) none

Last Answer : Ready to cook

Description : is rhubarb safe to use the 1st growing year?

Last Answer : Not eating it strengthens the roots for a better crop next year......only the leaves and roots are poisonious.........not the rhubarb itself. Next year only take some of the stems....the 3rd year harvest ... cover with a heavy layer of hay if you have under 32.........don't let the roots freeze.

Description : can I use rhubarb the first year

Last Answer : I think the reason for that is to allow the tuber/rhizome to develop over the first two years to produce thicker stems in year two.

Description : Is it ok to pickand use rhubarb twice in one season ?

Last Answer : Yes, you can harvest leaf stalks from your rhubarb all season long. Just don't take too many at once.

Description : Can you still pick and use rhubarb after its gone to seed?

Last Answer : Normally this is in hot weather and the plants are striving to make good roots for the next year. However the stems (other than the seed stems from the flower are still edible and can be harvested for your cake. Enjoy!

Description : Am I the only one that thinks Rhubarb pie is even more disgusting than fruitcake? Who the hell likes Rhubarb pie?

Last Answer : I like raw Rhubarb, but do not like Rhubarb pie. I may tolerate a Strawberry Rhubarb, but will gladly provide you the first $1 in your quest for compensation of your nasty pie episode. If the $1 is not enough to keep me out of the vat, then I will pay you the $14 and make you a pie of your choice.

Description : Do you have a recipe for strawberry rhubarb pie that isn't runny/watery?

Last Answer : answer:No. But…what if you stewed the Rhubarb seperately and then skimmed it out of it’s juices before adding? It is the culprit, over the Strawberries for extra water. I can give you a recipe for my apple/blackberry pie though. lol Where’s Kardamom?

Description : Do you have a favourite way of cooking rhubarb?

Last Answer : Rhubarb pies?

Description : Any recipes for rhubarb cobbler?

Last Answer : answer:Rhubarb. Is. One. Of. The. World’s. Best. Things. Bring it!

Description : how many rhubarb plants for one person, i like to freeze for winter as well as eat in season

Last Answer : i dont know sorry baby

Description : Freezing Rhubarb

Last Answer : The best method is to put your stems in a paper bag and place them in the freezer. By using paper, they will keep longer and weill not come out mushy when thawed.

Description : How do I strengthen rhubarb soil

Last Answer : Up in Pa they grow with dirt mix soil............PH test might be needed should be 5.5 to 7.0.......we put old horse manure over them when they died back.............we also use lime ... .....I am going to have to refer you to the internet as they are saying that it is difficult to grow in Florida.

Description : how to transplant Rhubarb plant

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : how long is the rhubarb harvesting season

Last Answer : 1st year take nothing, 2nd year take a few, 3rd year harves 8 to 10 week. Any flowers, cut them off all the way to the ground as they will take away from the roots getting established. If you have winters under 32 cover with hay................

Description : How do you freeze fresh rhubarb?

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : I love in southwest ontario and would like to know when it is okay to plant rhubarb

Last Answer : Hi Corrine. You can do either, if you're dividing a rhubarb plant you would probably want to do it in the fall. If it's a new plant then spring would be a better time to plant it. Just remember to give it lots of space and a good dose of compost to help it grow full and healthy. Hope this helps.

Description : Why are there black spots on the stalks of my rhubarb

Last Answer : It could be fungus or mold...........................1st year don't cut, 2nd year pick a few 3rd year pick for 8 to 10 weeks..............you can wait for the sun to pass over & they cool off ... them with soapy water and wipe them..................2 tablespoons dawn & 1 qt tap water............

Description : Can you still harvest rhubarb at this time of year?

Last Answer : 1st year, take nothing 2nd year take a few 3rd year harvest 8 to 10 week........................... in the fall cut everything down.........add horsemanure that was composted.................add hay to keep it from freezing or the roots can freeze when it goes under 32 & under.

Description : when should I stop picking rhubarb

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : What is making lots of holes in my rhubarb leaves?

Last Answer : after the sun goes down and the plants cool off mix up 2 tablespoons dawn & 1 qt tap water and spray everything even the ground..............spray again after a rain..............they will go somewhere else..........

Description : i transplanted my rhubarb plan yesterday and today my rhubarb is limb what happen

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : Are the leaves of a rhubarb plant edible or poisionous?

Last Answer : I have always been told that they are poisonous!

Description : my rhubarb is very thin this year. what could cause this. it is in the middle of grass.

Last Answer : Can you pull that grass out.................this fall clean it all off................give it composted horse manure ph 5.5-7.0....you are going to need to test it before ... so that the freezing weather does not kill the roots. Some people add mulch over the ground to keep the weeds from growing.

Description : WHEN TO PICK RHUBARB, MY STALKS ARE LARGE, BUT GREEN, ARE THEY OK TO PICK AND EAT?

Last Answer : Yes they are good to cut. They are just as good as the green ones.

Description : I have a rhubarb plant that does not produce red stalks -- is green rhubarb safe to eat (cooked, of course)?

Last Answer : The old fashioned rhubarb has green stalks unlike the "strawberry" or red variety. The stalks are also coarser, less sweet and more tart. In our garden the green is more productive and we have ... gift planting, it is good to give the plant a season to become established before doing much picking.

Description : How do I plant rhubarb

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : when is the best time to transplant rhubarb plants

Last Answer : The middle of October to the first week of November, less stress on the plant.

Description : WHY DOES MY RHUBARB LEAFS HAVE HOLES IN THEM?

Last Answer : 1st year.......don't take..........any flowers, cut the flower down to the bottom.........also any times they come....they take away from the root............2nd year take a few............3rd year ... .........if you live where it goes below 32.............cover it with hay for the winter.......

Description : does rhubarb grow in zone 9?

Last Answer : That root crop needs very cold winters to survive...........winters below 40 and summers below 75........................it is futile to try and grow it in your area. M;uch cheaper to buy it. Sorry to let you know this.

Description : bugs eating rhubarb leaves

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : when is the last harvest of rhubarb

Last Answer : The harvesting period for rhubarb is late spring through to the end of summer. Leave three to four mature leaves on the plant; these will help the rhubarb to grow vigorously. Remove any flowering stalks when you notice them.

Description : Is wild rhubarb safe to eat?

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : how to kill false rhubarb, rheum rhabarbarum

Last Answer : there is a double strength vinegar at some Walmarts.............try that also try boiling hot salt water...........be very careful............you can burn yourself......I would put about 3 or 4 cups of salt with several cups of vinegar and several cups of hot water.....

Description : why are some of my rhubarb leaves turning bright red

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : When do I harvest rhubarb - before or after it seeds out.

Last Answer : Need Answer

Description : Can I harvest seeds from the rhubarb i have to plant more?

Last Answer : I would not let it flower as that takes away from the root. Cut it off and go all the way down to the ground. Depending on the size of your plant now, you can wait until the fall and devide ... it is in the winter you might need to cover it with hay to prevent it from freezing. Happy summer.

Description : how do i freeze fresh rhubarb

Last Answer : Need Answer