Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

When would you harvest the last of the rhubarb?

ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
in Fruit & veg
I know that this is usually end of June/early July and have left my Victoria rhubarb to die back, but I also have Glaskins perpetual which you can continue to harvest until later in the season. Am I okay to harvest the last pick now and, if not, how can you tell when it is not good to eat?

Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    I don't know that particular variety,  my father always said its when you have to start adding a lot of extra sugar,  you know the levels of Oxalic acid are getting too high, the other telltale sign is when it's hard to cut cleanly and starts to get stringy.  
    AB Still learning

  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    Thank you - that's really helpful to know. 🙂
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Agree @Allotment Boy It used to be said that rhubarb after July was not good to eat but with all the weather conditions being up in the air ours didn't get going for a long time this year. So we are still harvesting and will do until  as @Allotment Boy said.
    It can also be partially cooked and put in the freezer for you to have with your breakfast later in the year.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    From mid July oxalic levels increase so the rule has always been to stop harvesting then.   It affects flavour but, more importantly, you have to let the plant rest and recuperate so you get good crops next spring/early summer and, if you have arthritis or gout, the increasing levels or oxalic acid can make it worse.    
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    That's interesting, thank you.
  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    Just to add though, I am thinking about the Glaskins Perpetual that can be picked further into the season - not the 'usual' Victoria rhubarb. 🙂
Sign In or Register to comment.