Rhubarb

Faye wanted me to write about rhubarb. Rhubarb is a very old plant dating back to before Christ. Only the stalks are eaten the leaves are discarded. Rhubarb is a perennial plant and will stay productive several years. So be sure to plant the plants in an area out of the way. Rhubarb should be planted in a well-drained area. Some gardeners even plant it on a hill (raised area) to help keep the roots free from standing water.

Rhubarb should be planted or divided in early spring. Some red stalk varieties that can be purchased are Canada Red, MacDonald, Ruby and Valentine. A green stalk variety grown mostly for novelty which is shaded with red is Victoria. Remember if one wants to divide a plant use a good disease free plant. Using a poor plant to divide usually only spreads the problem. Plants are usually divided every 5 years.

Plant the plants or root cuttings 3 to 4 feet apart. The crown bud should be 1 ½ to 2 inches deep. I like to recommend working some compost or well-rotted manure into the soil at planting. An 18″W x 10″D hole should be prepared and mix 50.50 soil and compost to fill around the plants. Fertilize the plant with a complete fertilizer at planting and again in the spring the following year.

Weeds should be kept in check throughout the year with shallow cultivation. An additional application of compost around the plants in the fall is helpful to control weeds, temperature and moisture.

Rhubarb stalks should not be harvested the first year of planting. They may be harvested 2 weeks the second year after planting and up to 10 weeks the following year. Of course length of harvest is associated with plant vigor.

Harvest usually begins around early to mid June. One should harvest only about 1/3 of the plant at one time to keep the plant healthy. Freshly harvested rhubarb may be kept in refrigeration stored in a plastic bag up to three weeks.

Seed stalks and flowers should be removed throughout the summer. Stalks should be harvested in early spring but one should remember caution if wanting to harvest after a frost. Stalks accumulate oxalic acid after a freeze and should not be used for food.

Rhubarb mixed with strawberries makes an excellent pie. About one half dozen plants for a family of 4 should be sufficient. Of course if this is one of your favorites, you will need more plants.

Gosh, I am ready for spring and a piece of strawberry/rhubarb pie. Yum!