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Harvesting Rhubarb in the Fall - First Year

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Posted by juheston MI (My Page) on
Thu, Sep 18, 14 at 19:22

We planted rhubarb crowns this past spring and have let the plants grow all summer without harvesting any stalks. The plants are large with long stems. We are wondering if we could harvest the stalks before the first frost without harming the plant. It seems like once we have a frost, the leaves will die and the plant will go dormant. The plant will have gotten all the use of the leaves for feeding and storage that it is going to get by then. It seems a waste to just let the stalks turn to mush. Thoughts? Can we harvest all the stalks in the fall or is there a reason to leave some behind?

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RE: Harvesting Rhubarb in the Fall - First Year

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  • Posted by digdirt 6b-7a North AR (My Page) on
    Fri, Sep 19, 14 at 13:57

First you don't want to harvest ALL the stalks at any time. That is nutrients needed by the plant the following season.

As the plant gets older ad larger you can harvest more stalks but this first year leave at least half until after freeze kill. THen feed and mulch well and plan for a good spring harvest.

Dave

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