Cosy

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I planted rhubarb last year, mostly for the nostalgia: we always had some in our garden rowing up, but I didn't pay much attention to the cultivating of the stuff. I knew I shouldn't pick any last year, to give them time to really "settle in". So, this year it is doing just great, so I have a few questions:
Can I harvest some this year? When?
Where exactly do I cut the stalks, at the crown/base, or further up the stalk??
How much of the plant can I harvest at one time or over the growing season?
I know that the seed stalks need to be removed, are these edible? (I know the leaves are not)
Can the leaves be composted?

Usually we had just stewed rhubarb, Mom would can quarts of the juice left from the stewing to use in making punches, usually red kool-ade mixed half and half . any other ideas for using rhubarb?

PurplePassion

Yes , you can harvest about half the stalks this year. Do NOT cut the stalks , pull them. other wise the part that is left from cut off will rot. The leaves are not to be put in the compost pile either. I have a good custard cake recipe --I will find and post.

ljfox

Never harvest more than half the plant and pull it, don't cut it. The seed stalks are hollow so they are not good for eating. I make freezer jam, pies, and rhubarb upside down cake with mine.

paulswalia

a quick Google search will give you all the rhubarb recipes you can ever cook! I have a jello/rhubarb pie recipe (served cold) that is a family favorite. All the above advice sounds just right.

Tartan

I guess I just have to different, I always cut my stalks leaving about an inch above the ground. I have been doing it that way for the last 40 some years and haven't killed my plants yet. My Ruby Red always comes on first in the spring. I do remove the seed heads to extend the cutting season.

ube quilting

Stew it with amount of sugar to your liking and scoop it over vanilla ice cream. Nothing better than this, yummmmm.
peace

QuiltE

Why should the leaves not be added to the compost?
I do ... and don;t know of any problems.

Rhubarb Custard Cake .. you have my attention, and I would so appreciate the recipe.
Thanks!

Was checking my rhubarb yesterday and it's well on the way ... though a long way from harvesting!

carslo

I miss rhubarb here in socal - it is very expensive to buy at the farmers market. It always grew like a weed no matter where I lived in Canada.

PurplePassion

That is what I heard and read, they said the leaves are poison; not to put them in the compost pile , just put them in the garbage.

Cosy

From my research on the stuff, seems like rhubarb needs a cold spell to do well, so to get it in SoCal, I'm guessing it must need to be trucked in from colder places, hence the price. Altho I haven't bought it from our local stores because of the price.