Rhubarb - How long can it be harvested and taste good?

7 years ago

I've kept my rhubarb watered through the New England drought. I didn't get to enjoy any in the spring or early summer. I sometimes see Rhubarb for sale in late summer at farm stands.

Question: any chance it is worth eating now and not tough? Pie? Sauce?

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
If is growing strongly and has been kept watered it should still be palatable. Why not pick one stalk and try it?
petalique thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
petalique
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you, floral_uk.

It's been hot but in the past week we've had a lot of showers.

I twisted off a few stalks. Looks good, but the skin is a tad tough. The pulp is firmer that it would be in the spring, but manageable. I think that I'll harvest some, wash it and peel it. I'll cook up some peelings separately for the color (maybe), then strain them out. I'll either use as sauce or make a galette (perhaps with strawberries).

Another question, if I might. The plants haven't been divided in years. Is September or October (or November) a good time? Zone 5a New England.
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spartanapples
7 years ago
I have picked rhubarb late May thru late June and it was fine. I tried picking in July once and the rhubarb was much tougher, cooked poorly (the pie filling had hard spots in it). Perhaps it was my variety (Valentine) but I do not plan on trying that again in summer.

When I was a child, we also picked our rhubarb in mid-late September and it seemed fine. These days I cannot keep my Valentine nor Chipman's red to even keep its foliage all summer. It always goes dormant on me by August. Valentine seems especially prone to rhubarb rust on the foliage.
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petalique - I hope someone else chips in here because I can't tell you when to divide it in your climate. Over here it can be divided and planted throughout the winter. Usual time is November to March.

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Rhubarb - How long can it be harvested and taste good?

Comments (4)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

petalique
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Rhubarb - How long can it be harvested and taste good?

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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

petaliqueOriginal Author

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petalique
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