very time consuming it is essential that the whole of the petiole is removed intact from the root. This necessitates that a finger is inserted between the stick and the bud, and gently pushed to the base of the bud before simultaneously twisting and pulling. Any remnants of the stick base would rot, causing a botrytis problem, so again gently does it. rhubarb-bed-autumn

The forcing process is:

• After a period of frost, cut a large part of the crown  (the fleshy rhizomes and buds) with a spade, about 12 inches deep, and 12 inches square.
• Leave this crown lump on the surface of the soil for 8 days to expose it to the light
• Then  bring it into a dark, warm place (about 60 degrees F) for forcing. lthough

Harvest the shoots when they are about 10inches long.

Insert a finger  between the stalk and the bud, and gently push to the base of the bud before simultaneously twisting and pulling. This ensures that the whole stalk is removed.  If part is left it will rot and spoil subsequent growth.

If this sounds rather complicated a simpler way to force rhubarb is to cover the rhubarb clump in the garden, to keep the light out, with straw or a large pot. 

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rhubarb-flowering

Some people like to see rhubarb  flowers in the garden. 

rhubarb-flower

But if you are after rhubarb for the kitchen, the rhubarb flowers should be removed as soon as the flower buds  are seen.

flower-bud-rhubarb

 To remove the flower stem:

• Hold the flowering-stalk close to the ground
• Pull upwards twisting the stalk

• variety – Victoria is more prone to flowering than other varieties
• maturity – older plants are more likely to flower than younger ones
• weather – prolonged high temperatures and drought promote flowering
• nutrition – lack of nutrients makes the plant want to seed

To encourage leaf growth and discourage flowering of rhubarb:  

* divide the crowns every 4-5 years to keep them young
* water during the harvesting period if in drought conditions
* feed with well rotted manure or fertiliser in early spring and autumn
* do not totally strip the root – always leave 4 or 5 stalks.
* stop pulling stalks after July, to allow the leaves to feed the root
* do not force each crown more than once every two years
* provide an open, sunny site in the vegetable garden

Although flowering rhubarb looks pretty, it is not good for the production of rhubarb to eat.

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rhubarb-stalks

To pick rhubarb:

• hold the stalk near the bud at the base of the stalk
• pull upwards, twisting the stalk at the same time

Remember not to pick every stalk, leave some rhubarb to feed the root for next year.

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rhubarb-flower

rhubarb-seed-head

rhubarb-seed

 The usual way to get a new rhubarb plant is to replant a piece cut off the crown (or root).  It will take a long time to establish a useful rhubarb plant from a seed.

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• variety – later varieties hold their colour longer
• growth rate – in Spring the rhubarb stick grows slowly so the colour is retained further along its length of stick. Later as the season warms up, the stick grows faster and the colour disappears, turning the stick green.

An exception is Cawood Delight, a late variety harvesting from late May, which keeps a fantastic dep red stick.

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• Hold the flowering-stalk close to the ground
• Pull upwards twisting the stalk
• Remove the flowering stalk to the compost heap

If the rhubarb flower is left on the plant,  the root will be weakened & the stalks will be weak and thin.

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If the rhubarb flower is left on the plant,  the root will be weakened & the stalks will be weak and thin.

So, the rhubarb flowers should be removed as soon as they are seen.

• Hold the flowering-stalk close to the ground
• Pull upwards twisting the stalk

rhubarb-patch-March

The tendency to bolting depends on:

• variety – Victoria is more prone to flowering than other varieties
• maturity – older plants are more likely to flower than younger ones
• weather – prolonged high temperatures and drought promote flowering
• nutrition – lack of nutrients makes the plant want to seed

To encourage leaf growth and discourage flowering of rhubarb:

* divide the crowns every 4-5 years to keep them young
* water during the harvesting period if in drought conditions
* feed with well rotted manure or fertiliser in early spring and autumn
* do not totally strip the root – always leave 4 or 5 stalks.
* stop pulling stalks after July, to allow the leaves to feed the root
* do not force each crown more than once every two years
* provide an open, sunny site in the vegetable garden

Although the rhubarb flower may add charm to the vegetable garden, it is not good for the production of rhubarb to eat.

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rhubarb-patch-oct27

rhubarb-bed-autumn

• dig up the crowns (the fleshy rhizomes and buds)

rhubarb-crown

• discard old or damaged parts of the crown
• use healthy bits of crown with 2-3 good buds on them

rhizomes-&-buds

• prepare the ground with plenty of well rotted farmyard manure or compost ( rhubarb is very greedy)
• mulch the rhubarb crowns once planted
• be gentle with the young rhubarb plants in the first year, better not to force them, or to pull too many stalks
• therefore best to lift & divide a small section of the rhubarb bed each year, so there are always some older plants to force and use.

rhubarb-in-March

This book from Amazon has some good rhubarb recipes!

Now is a good time to divide or move rhubarb, but if time is short, spring will do.

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rhubarb-stalks

Any surplus is very easy to freeze, by chopping it up, placing it in a labelled bag and freezing it immediatley.

The first rhubarb is always best stewed. Follow these instructions from FarmingFriends

Click here for information on:

 forcing rhubarb

flowering rhubarb

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rhubarb-clump

So glad Freddie of the GreatBigVegetableChallenge likes rhubarb, and has been eating it straight from the vegetable garden.

We went to Wakefield to see the rhubarb sheds, which are surrounded by
huge water pipes carrying hot water to keep the sheds warm. Small
fireplaces in each shed glow as they heat the water for the heating pipes.

But the most amazing thing was seeing the stocky Yorkshire-men carrying
small candles into the shed to pick the rhubarb stalks. Only very small
flames are allowed, because the tender, pink stalks need absolute
darkness! The roofs are low, and there is a strange silence in the sheds.

For more information on rhubarb see:

* forcing rhubarb

* freezing rhubarb
* flowering rhubarb
* how long to pick rhubarb

Rhubarb crumble is the ultimate reward for growing rhubarb in the
vegetable garden.

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