Harvesting rhubarb

[Tiempo]

How much should I cut vs. leave behind?

[kjmatson]

I like to harvest whatever is as big around as my thumb, and a little bigger. Lastnight I harvested about 2/3 of my rhubarb plant because that was ready. I do the same with my swiss chard; I will even cut it all down if it is ready and in a couple weeks it is all right back, no problems.

[chickenista]

Don't cut your rhubarb!! Pull and twist until snapping. To cut it weakens and leads to disease etc...

[peacebaker]

Ooh I know this one--at least what they said in my MG class this week.

He said to harvest no more than 1/3 of the plant per year, and stop around July to let it store energy for the next year.

Chickenista I learned that from an older neighbor too (pull, not cut). I asked in class and he said it probably made less of a wound for disease. Plus I think it kind of keeps the base of the patch thinned so you don't get compacted roots and/or rot.

[Paquebot]

If one were really fastidious, one would count how many stems are coming from each crown and pick the largest only if there are 3 total. I just pick the biggest all the way around the clumps with no regard to how many are from each crown. It's something that comes with experience, I guess.

July would be way late for picking here. In fact, mid-June is when I stop. However, one can harvest again in September and then take just about everything. By then, the roots will have stored enough for the next year and everything aboveground is expendable.

Martin