Rhubarb harvest

[lushy86]

I have found rhubarb in a covered bed it was just the crowns but is growing daily and the stalks are about 8 inches but wuite thin, can i harvest it this year?  I have watered in a bit of blood fish and bone.

Lushy x

[lushy86]

[hopalong]

I have found rhubarb in a covered bed it was just the crowns but is growing daily and the stalks are about 8 inches but wuite thin, can i harvest it this year?  I have watered in a bit of blood fish and bone.

Lushy x

Sounds like you may have to leave it for a while, Lushy, although a dose of pelleted chicken manure or well rotted farmyard manure may help it come on.  Rhubarb particularly needs nitrogen and blood - which manure provides in abundance - whereas blood, fish and bone certainly gives some nitrogen but maybe not quite enough. If you do decide to pick some, wait till the leaves are fully unfolded and don't pick more than half the stalks.

[Robert_Brenchley]

If the stalks are thin I'd give it a load of grass cuttings, muck, or something with longterm value, and leave it a year.

[hopalong]

I have found rhubarb in a covered bed it was just the crowns but is growing daily and the stalks are about 8 inches but wuite thin, can i harvest it this year?  I have watered in a bit of blood fish and bone.

Lushy x

Rhubarb particularly needs nitrogen and blood

I didn't mean to say that!  Nitrogen is what it needs.  I agree with Robert that it's probably best left to develop for a while and lots of muck is the best thing for it, or pelleted chicken manure.

[Barnowl]

Thanks chaps. When it's ready and thumb thick   :)

[paulinems]

The rhubarb is now made into jam, cooling in the jars as I type.  Roll on tomorrow when the fresh bread is still warm and the butter soft!

just had a go at this jam,but not sure iff it set right i left my jam pan in shed at allotmant so had to manage with my largest pan i had, and had a nice mess to clean over my cooker!! but tasted ok  :)
Pauline

[lushy86]

Thanks for the advice chaps, will do as you say and see how it grows  ;)

Lushy x

[PJW_Letchworth]

just had a go at this jam,but not sure iff it set right i left my jam pan in shed at allotmant so had to manage with my largest pan i had, and had a nice mess to clean over my cooker!! but tasted ok  :)
Pauline

It will taste so good as you made it and you know exactly what went into it.  We've already fiished one jar!  I made it to keep it for the winter b ut it looks like I'll be making a second batch very soon!