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Rhubarb advice

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  • 28-09-2011 9:42am
    #1
    redser7
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭


    I sowed Glaskin's perpetual seeds in July and chose the three plants that are doing best. As it was late to be sowing these I've been potting them on and they are now in 2 lt pots of compost. They look happy and are putting up new stalks - there's about 5 or 6 on each one.
    Any advice what I should do now? I think they are still too small and tender to put in the ground and survive the wind and winter weather. So I was planning on potting them on into 5 lt pots in about a month and then over-winter them in my polytunnel. Then put them in the ground in February/March.
    Does that sound like a good plan? Or should they go into the ground?
    I've been reading that they like manure in the autumn. Would that be a good idea if I am keeping them in pots? Mixed into the compost/soil or as a mulch?
    I was also reading that you shouldn't pull stalks in the first year. As these were sown in July, would next summer qualify as year 2 and allow me to take a small crop?
    Thanks a lot for any advice.


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    #2
    Clare man
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭Clare man


    Rhubarb roots are fairly hardy, I would recommend putting them into ground and covering them completely with manure, the leaves will die off with frost and the manure will keep them protected and feed the roots

    The recommendation is not to pick Rhubarb in year one and only selectively in year 2. I picked some in year 2 and my plants are thriving, trick is not to overdo it.

    I just put a foot of manure over my plants on Saturday and we have the freezer stocked with Rhubarb to use over the winter

    I am going to ry and force one or two plants next year and see results


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    #3
    redser7
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    Thanks a lot


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    #4
    wait4me
    Registered Users Posts: 2,050 ✭✭✭wait4me


    Clare man wrote: »
    we have the freezer stocked with Rhubarb to use over the winter

    So did you freeze the stalks uncooked, or cook the stalks and then freeze?


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    #5
    Dizzyblonde
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,110 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dizzyblonde


    wait4me wrote: »
    So did you freeze the stalks uncooked, or cook the stalks and then freeze?

    Rhubarb can be frozen without cooking it first.


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    #6
    wait4me
    Registered Users Posts: 2,050 ✭✭✭wait4me


    Dizzyblonde wrote: »
    Rhubarb can be frozen without cooking it first.
    Excellent - thanks for this.


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    #7
    dfbemt
    Registered Users Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭dfbemt


    We always freeze more rhubarb during the Summer than we eat.

    There is something lovely and warming about a rhubarb crumble during the winter, more so than summer.

    Compost heap loves the leaves during the Summer also.


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