Rhubarb variety and when to harvest

emma lou

We have acquired a variety of rhubarb in our garden. I am not sure what sort it is, but I am unsure when to harvest it. I thought Rhubarb harvesting etc was dependant on what sort it was. Can anyone help please? I have been removing the flowers.

 

Dovefromabove

That looks fine to start cropping now.  Don't take more than two thirds of the leaves at any one time, and pull and twist so that the base of the leaf stalk comes away, don't cut or the base of the stalk will rot and set up rot in the crown.  Twist the leaves off immediatelyi and compost.

Also take that flower stalk out from the base using the same twisting pulling motion. 

Make sure it has plenty of water and when you finish harvesting (end of June) give it a good mulch with well rotted manure.

Enjoy

emma lou

So it's Ok to eat, fab! Oops I have been cutting the flower stalks but know to twist the stems. Can rhubarb be eaten your round if growth permits? I thought it may be poisonous at certain times of the year?

Welshonion

No, do as Dove suggests and cease taking it at the end of June so that the plant can build itself up for next year.



The stems are not poisonous, but the leaves are.

emma lou

Ok great thanks for all your advice. We have not had any luck with Rhubarb until now. I didn't think it was possible to kill it?

Dovefromabove

The usual way of killing rhubarb is to over-pick it. As Welshonion says, let it build itself up again.  I usually mulch in July and again in Oct/Nov.

Don't worry about winter - it comes from Siberia.!!!

LeifUK

I have Timperley Early, and it does not look like yours. The stems are reddish, and the leaves different. I think all rhubarb is picked from when the stems are long enough until late june.