| Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 10:18:03 -0400 From: [email protected] Subject: Gardener's Q and A [T200005070022Z37515] To: [email protected] X-MMC-From: [email protected] X-MMC-To: <[email protected]> X-MMC-Subject: Gardener's Q and A Sender : [email protected] Tracking Number : T200005070022Z37515 Pool : QA Sent to : <[email protected]> Date : 5/7/00 10:19 AM --- Forwarded by: David Grist (no comments entered) --- Question recieved from: Diana Bruesewitz Joliet, Illinois 60435 County: Will Country: USA Email: [email protected] Mailing list (nothing means 'no'): Rhubarb Category: Vegetables I planted "Canadian Red" rhubarb last year for my first try at rhubarb. It's huge and has flowered. How much should I harvest the first year and is it normal for rhubarb to flower? |
| Rhubarb can be picked, and enjoyed as soon as it presents itself to you! I'd wait until the leaves are getting good sized. Immature rhubarb has smaller leaves, but is wonderfully tender and flavorful. So, when the leaves are there and the stems are approximately 6-15 inches long, go ahead and grab that stem close to the base and twist it until it breaks off close to the crown. Use only the stems; remove the leaves as they are toxic! The discarded leaves make great additions to the compost. Yes, it is normal for rhubarb to eventually flower....this is called going to seed and usually happens late in the season. |
