Author Topic: When to pick forced rhubarb  (Read 6227 times)

suziequeue

  • Joined Feb 2010
  • Llanidloes; Powys
When to pick forced rhubarb
« 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
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Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #1 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.
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ellied

  • Joined Sep 2010
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Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #2 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..
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Daisy-at-the-dairy

  • Joined Jan 2011
Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #3 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!).

darkbrowneggs

  • Joined Aug 2010
    • The World is My Lobster
Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #4 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
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Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #5 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.
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

suziequeue

  • Joined Feb 2010
  • Llanidloes; Powys
Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #6 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
We do the best we can with the information we have

When we know better we do better

Greenerlife

  • Joined Mar 2009
  • Leafy Surrey
Re: When to pick forced rhubarb
« Reply #7 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.

 

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