We were concerned with all the snow of damage to the rhubarb patch but it seems to have come through just fine and with some warm weather has grown overnight it seems. With almost daily rain of late it had started to put up giant seeds pods and I noticed some of the stalks were starting to get large so I knew it was time to pick some. I don't want the stalks to get too big and woody.
First is to cut the seed pods off, after all I want the plant to concentrate on producing stalks right now and not seeds. I will cut these one more time after this initial cutting.
The seed pods will go into the compost. Since the seeds are not developed they should not sprout. Remember the leaves are poisonous and do not feed them to any of the animals including you.
Then I start thinning the biggest stalks. Twisting the stalk and breaking it off at ground level. They should twist off cleanly where they adjoin the the root or main stalk.
Then I tackle my pile of stalks cutting off the leaves. The leaves also go into the compost. My compost tends to fill quickly this time of year.
My rhubarb you will notice is a green rhubarb. I have no idea what variety since my start was given to me by a farmer living locally that had been growing it for 50 years. I tend to like these type of gifts because I know that these varieties are acclimated to this area and soils. This rhubarb has been no exception producing prolifically and almost too much. I will be thinning it out in the near future and sharing with friends and neighbors. I will not be extending my own patch as I just do not need any more rhubarb plants. Once I have thinned it I will side dress the plants with rabbit poop and allow it to grow for the rest of the summer. I should however get at the least 1 more cutting off it.
For now though I have a nice batch to go inside and an entire wheel barrow of biomass for the compost.
Blessings from The Holler
The Canned Quilter
Your rhubarb looks fantastic! And it's only from writing this post that I realized that until today, I had no idea how to spell rhubarb. I'm not a big pie eater, so I truly have no idea what to do with rhubarb, but yours looks so lovely I'm tempted to try it!
ReplyDeleteI have tried many times to start rhubarb in my garden. Maybe I need to find a farmer in the area to get a start from - great idea.
ReplyDeleteI see there are a lot of leaves left after you cut? How do you decide how much to cut & which leaves to cut? Does it matter?
I always start with the largest before they get woody. As a rule of thumb I leave about 4 or 5 leaves to each plant to provide photosynthesis for that plant.
DeleteThanks, I was looking for this information today too! I didnt get this post.. maybe I will tomorrow. ;)
DeleteI read last year to remove the flowers too.. and I just cut them twice.. but I really had no clue how many leaves to leave.
I lost my two big rhubarb plants winter 2011. I was so sad. They were the green variety, just like yours. I made the most exquisite strawberry-rhubarb jam with them. Last spring, I bought 2 red rhubarb plants, at almost $8 each! I lost one but the other seems to be coming back just fine. I really love rhubarb. Your bed is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLast year I made strawberry rhubarb jam as well. As a matter of fact one of my neighbors came today offering to help with tractor work in exchange for some of my jam : ) I sent several jars home with him! I am trying wine this year with my rhubarb since I already have quite a supply of it both in the freezer and in jars.
DeleteI so love your photos..am curious ~What kind of camera do you use/any advice about choosing one..I'm always telling ppl "I am going to get a REAL CAMERA one day.Honestly I don't know what kind I should get.
ReplyDeleteJonell
I use a Kodak Easy Share Z712 IS. Adore my camera it is one of those point and shoot types for those of us that really just want a good picture without all the buttons and hassles. Mine is several years old and has held up beautifully!
DeleteI also have a small rhubarb patch...maybe just a tad bit bigger then yours. I love watching it grow but really never know when I should pick it. My family doesn't care much for it plain, do you have a recipe you could share?
ReplyDeleteThat is some pretty amazing looking rhubarb.. I cant believe how thick & full it is.. Crazy!
ReplyDelete