lspichkin

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that favors cooler temperatures, US zones 8 and colder. A well cared for rhubarb plant can continue to produce for over 20 years!


Courtesy of miikaS

These plants have large leaves that are somewhat triangular shaped with long fleshy petioles. The flowers are small, greenish-white to rose-red. A number of varieties of rhubarb have been domesticated both as medicinal plants and for human consumption. While the leaves are toxic, the stems are quite popular for cooking in pies and other foods for their tart flavor.

The plant is indigenous to Asia, and many suggest that it was often used by the Mongolians; particularly, the Tatars tribes of the Gobi. The plant has grown wild along the banks of the Volga for centuries. Varieties of rhubarb have a long history as medicinal plants in traditional Chinese medicine, but the use of rhubarb as food is a relatively recent innovation, first recorded in 17th century England, after affordable sugar became available to common people.

Rhubarb is now grown in many areas, primarily for its fleshy petioles, commonly known as rhubarb sticks or stalks. In temperate climates rhubarb is one of the first food plants to be ready for harvest, usually in mid to late Spring (April/May in the Northern Hemisphere, October/November in the Southern). The petioles can be cooked in a variety of ways. Stewed, they yield a tart sauce that can be eaten with sugar and other stewed fruit or used as filling for pies (see rhubarb pie), tarts, and crumbles. This common use led to the slang term for rhubarb, "pie plant".

Cooked with strawberries or apples as a sweetener, rhubarb makes excellent jam. It can also be used to make wine and as an ingredient in baked goods. In former days, a common and affordable sweet for children in parts of the United Kingdom and Sweden was a tender stick of rhubarb, dipped in sugar.


Courtesy of RBerteig

Plant rhubarb in early spring. Make sure to pick a well draining spot of soil where the plant can grow, undisturbed, for a couple of decades. Full sun will encourage the greatest harvests, although the plant can do well in partial shade. The ideal pH is between 6.0 - 6.8.

Dig a hole 2 feet deep and 2 feet across. When refilling the hole make sure to add some compost in with the soil. Allow a few feet between plants. Rhubarb can successfully be planted in containers, so long as the container is large enough to accommodate a season's growth. Top dress with compost or manure every spring and fall.

In warm climates, rhubarb will grow all year round, but in colder climates the parts of the plant above the ground disappear completely during winter, and begin to grow again from the root in early spring. It can be forced, that is, encouraged to grow early, by raising the local temperature. This is commonly done by placing an upturned bucket over the shoots as they come up.

For the best long term growth of the plant, refrain from harvesting in your first year. In the 2nd year, harvest a few leaf stalks while leaving most on the plant to assist with proper root development. You're free to harvest as much as you can from the 3rd year on.

candrechek

there is something much like rhubarb in my yard but it is covered in a fuzz much like on peaches...

Is this rhubarb and is it edible?

lspichkin

fuzzy leaves sounds like it may be burdock and not rhubarb.... maybe post a photo?

candrechek

it is the stalks that are fuzzy. I will take a pic in the morning and post it when I get a chance

candrechek

These are the pics of the plant growing in my yard.

lspichkin

Yes, I'm going with burdock and not rhubarb....