How To Harvest Rhubarb Without Damage
If you don't know how to harvest rhubarb, you can cause damage easily. To avoid ruining your harvest this year and the next (if you're growing as a perennial), it's important to cut carefully. We share how to keep your rhubarb growing back year after year!
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The word “rhubarb” comes from the Latin term “rhababarum,” which means the root of the barbarians. The name dates back to a time when the Romans labeled those who ate rhubarb as barbarians. That hasn’t stopped us from feasting on this plant today, and knowing how to harvest rhubarb is the first step.
In the culinary world, rhubarb is most often used in desserts such as pies. Many recipes pair it with other fruits to create complex, balanced flavors. It is also commonly used to make sauces, jams, compotes, and pie fillings. However, the leaves attached to rhubarb are poisonous and contain high levels of oxalic acid.
While this flavorful produce is botanically considered a vegetable, a 1947 court ruling in the US officially classified rhubarb as a fruit, based on how it is most commonly used. Thinking about growing and harvesting rhubarb in your vegetable garden? It does require some effort, but this distinctive plant is well worth the time.
When to Harvest Rhubarb
Growing rhubarb can be a lot of fun, but you will need to be a little patient before you first harvest rhubarb. The stalks need to reach their full length to deliver maximum value.
So, how long does it take before you can start harvesting rhubarb? This depends on the variety, as some grow faster than others. As a general rule, stalks should be at least 12 inches long for smaller varieties and up to 24 inches long for larger ones.
Perennial Rhubarb
If your rhubarb plant grows as a perennial in your garden, avoid harvesting during the first year so the plant has time to establish itself.
Most of early spring is dedicated to growth, but from late spring through early summer, you can harvest regularly using a cut-and-come-again approach. Harvesting by early July or mid-July produces the best-quality stalks, as this timing occurs before flower stalks emerge. The best time to harvest is in the morning, when the plant is well rested from cool overnight temperatures.
Choose stems that are at least the width of a finger. Smaller, pencil-sized stalks are not ready and should be left to grow. If your plant consistently produces thin stalks, it may need feeding. Add compost or fertilizer, and plan to provide an early-season feeding next year to encourage stronger growth.
Annual Rhubarb
If you are growing rhubarb as an annual, wait until the stalks reach the proper size before harvesting. You can take one final, generous harvest in the fall by removing all remaining stalks. Those growing rhubarb as a perennial should allow the plant to conserve energy during fall so it can survive the winter.
The color of rhubarb depends on the variety. While many people associate rhubarb with deep red stalks, not all varieties produce this coloration. Judge ripeness based on the typical color of your specific variety rather than redness alone.
How To Harvest Rhubarb
Begin by inspecting your plant. You will notice that rhubarb grows much like celery, with large outer stalks and a central core of smaller inner stalks. Always leave the central stalks intact so the plant can recover after each harvest.
To harvest, slide your hand down the stalk to its base. Grasp it firmly at the bottom, then pull and twist. In most cases, the stalk will release cleanly. If it does not come away easily, use a clean, sharp knife to cut the stalk at the very base.
While it may seem tempting to cut every stalk, this is not recommended. Cutting leaves an open wound at the crown of the plant, which can invite bacterial or fungal disease. Pulling and twisting the stalk away cleanly causes less damage overall.
Avoid harvesting too many stalks at once. No more than a third of the plant should be removed at a time, as it needs enough energy to regenerate. It is better to take a few stalks from multiple plants rather than harvesting heavily from a single one.
Rhubarb leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid, making them toxic and inedible. After harvesting, remove the leaves immediately and add them, along with nearby plant debris, to the compost pile. Leaving the leaves attached will cause the stalks to wilt and decline more quickly. The best time to remove the leaves is as soon as the stalk is in your hand.
When harvested correctly, rhubarb will continue producing for many years. By early July, you can expect long, succulent stalks that are ready to use, with every harvest bringing you one step closer to the perfect strawberry rhubarb pie.
How To Store Fresh Rhubarb Stalks
Now that you know how to harvest rhubarb, storing fresh stalks is simple. The best storage method depends on how soon you plan to use the harvest.
For short-term storage, there are two effective options. In both cases, store rhubarb unwashed and rinse it just before use.
The jar method: Remove the leaves from the stalks. Fill a glass jar about halfway with water. Place the harvested rhubarb stalks cut-end down in the water, then transfer the jar to the refrigerator. Loosely cover the top with a plastic bag to help retain moisture and keep the stalks fresh. Change the water at least once a day. This method works well for storing fresh rhubarb for two to four days.
Aluminum foil wrap: Lay the rhubarb stalks on a sheet of aluminum foil and fold the edge over the cut ends, then roll it up loosely. Do not seal the stalks completely, as trapped moisture can cause them to spoil more quickly. Place the wrapped rhubarb in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
Other Methods Of Storing Rhubarb
Want to store rhubarb for even longer? Freeze the stalks immediately after harvest.
To freeze rhubarb properly, rinse the stalks with cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Chop the stalks into smaller pieces, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag, making sure to remove as much excess air as possible. Label the container or bag before placing it in the freezer. When stored correctly, frozen rhubarb can last for up to one year.
Drying is not suitable for rhubarb. It is best used fresh or frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you not pick rhubarb?
Stop picking rhubarb when the heat of the summer comes on. The stalks can become woody in the warmer weather of late July, and the plant needs to store energy to survive the winter months.
How much rhubarb can you harvest at once?
To be sure your rhubarb plants will recover well, it’s best to take no more than ⅓ of each rhubarb plant at a time. Give the plants some time to recover and regrow afterward.
How do I know when rhubarb is ready to pick?
Harvest rhubarb plants at 12 inches for smaller varieties, or 24 inches for larger varieties.R
Does rhubarb grow back after you pick it?
It sure does! As a perennial vegetable, you can plant rhubarb, harvest it, and it will return in the next growing season.
When should you not eat rhubarb?
Avoid harvesting rhubarb and eating it when temperatures are in the mid 20s and below. It’s at this point that oxalic acid is present in the stalks.
