The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Fruit => Topic started by: suziequeue on April 02, 2011, 08:08:17 am

Title: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: suziequeue on April 02, 2011, 08:08:17 am

We forced some rhubarb this year and I took the bins off a few days ago.

Can I pick it any time?

Susanna

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: Fleecewife on April 02, 2011, 09:10:25 pm

That looks lovely  :yum: You can pick the longer stems now, but I thought you left the bins on until you have finished picking ie when the rest of the crop, unforced, is ready.  The stems will be so weak after growing tall and spindly that if you get some wind they will be broken.  It should be lovely and sweet though.

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: ellied on April 03, 2011, 08:03:03 am

My unforced rhubarb is through - I picked two stalks yesterday to try today but have left the rest to grow on..

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: Daisy-at-the-dairy on April 03, 2011, 11:08:08 pm

Your forced rhubarb will turn into garden rhubarb if you leave the bins off so pick it now while thin and sweet.  I've already had a few pickings of garden rhubarb here in Hertfordshire, though I gather from last weeks omnibus edition that the season is later in Borsetshire as Jill hasn't had any yet (Ha! eat your heart out Vanessa Whitburn!).

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: darkbrowneggs on April 03, 2011, 11:20:38 pm

I've been picking it for about 3 weeks and I'm in Worcestershire. (Further North than "Archer" country)  Must have given away around 15lbs of it already, - (though I do like a bit to eat at this time of year  :D )

All the best
Sue

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: Fleecewife on April 03, 2011, 11:53:41 pm

Even up here in the frozen north my rhubarb is pickable - not full-sized yet but we have several plants so no point in hanging back.  At this time of year it's so tender, even unforced and is a spring-time treat.  Later on it mostly either gets sold or made into rhubarb and ginger jam or added to my summer garden jam.

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: suziequeue on April 04, 2011, 09:03:07 pm

We've had rhubarb crumble yesterday and today.

I've never really been a crumble/pie sort of person but this rhubarb is turning me around fast!!!

DELICIOUS

Title: Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
Post by: Greenerlife on April 04, 2011, 09:38:44 pm

I have picked a couple of pounds off my forced rhubarb with an unforced plant to follow after.  The only problem I have is getting the forcer back on over the rhubarb without destroying the thin stalks - any tips anyone?  i keep the cover on at least until May.