So, when is Rhubarb in season? Rheum rhabarbarum is the medical term for this vegetable. It is the name given to the Rhubarb plant in the United States.
It’s the stuff that pie makers’ fantasies comprise of. Because of its tart flavor, they like pairing it with strawberry Rhubarb pie.
At least in its fresh form, Rhubarb isn’t readily accessible all year round. As a result, you’ll want to know when you can get your hands on it and where did people cultivate it.
So, in this article, we shall discuss that!
What Time of Year Can You Find Rhubarb?
One of the earliest vegetables to be available in early spring is Rhubarb. This is the Rhubarb season opener, which lasts through July. You’re more likely to discover it for sale in farmer’s markets in the northern area of the United States because it thrives there.
Rhubarb grown in a hot house or greenhouse is available from the end of winter to the beginning of spring. On the other hand, Rhubarb grown in the open field is available from the beginning of spring till the beginning of summer.
Most of the field-grown Rhubarb marketed in the United States originates from the northern United States, namely the states of Oregon and Washington. They are ideal conditions for the cultivation of Rhubarb.
Field-grown Rhubarb is traditionally available for purchase in late March or early April. Rhubarb harvested from greenhouses will be ready around this time. Thus their seasons may somewhat overlap.
During the warmer months, people tend to slow down their activities to save energy. The heat is detrimental to the rhubarb plant’s growth. You wouldn’t believe how pitiful my rhubarb plants are now that it’s August!
Because Rhubarb keeps well, you may continue to see it even into the summer.
You may have a difficult time locating it throughout the autumn months. Unfortunately, we are unable to recall ever coming across it. Outside of maybe coming from Canada, we don’t believe much Rhubarb is imported.
When Should Rhubarb Not be Eaten?
After July, rhubarb stalks become stringy and chewy, losing a significant amount of their taste. They may still be consumed as food since they do not contain toxins that would make them harmful to humans. However, it would be best if you didn’t consume them since they won’t contribute anything positive to the taste of the food that you’re making.
After July, you should refrain from eating Rhubarb since the plant requires time to recover and grow new stalks. This indicates that it needs to regrow its leaves before the onset of the cold season to accumulate nutrients. However, doing so will have a better chance of growing back in the spring.
Lastly, Rhubarb is not a plant that thrives in hot temperatures. Instead, it is not suited to survive extreme heat or even the high temperatures typical throughout the summer. This indicates that once the heat has a chance to set in, the plant will change into a woody and fibrous form to survive.
Before the middle of summer, or by the end of July at the latest, Rhubarb is at its peak flavor and texture. This occurs because the stalks become exceedingly fibrous and lose their taste as they mature.
After the middle of the summer, Rhubarb does not turn deadly; only the leaves are harmful. Despite this, you should give the plant plenty of room to develop without interference to recover in the spring.
After the middle of July, you should avoid eating Rhubarb for the reasons stated above, since these are the most important ones. However, less taste and stalks that are too woody, and the plant needs replenishment to continue growing.
Is Frozen Rhubarb as Good as Fresh?
No. It can be dangerous if exposed to extreme cold weather.
Cold freezes do not permanently destroy the rhubarb plants in the spring. Nevertheless, the edible stalks may transform by freezing temperatures in a manner that is toxic to people.
The rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which is harmful to humans. However, only the stalks do not contain oxalic acid, which is why the stalks are edible. Oxalic acid may have its distribution altered when temperatures are low enough.
When the temperature drops into the lower to middle 20s, the oxalic acid found in the rhubarb leaves will (migrate) to the stalks, we collect. When you ingest oxalic acid, it may form crystals in the kidneys, leading to chronic damage to those organs.
When frozen, the Rhubarb will display symptoms of damage that might serve as a warning to gardeners harvesting it. The leaves will fade and become black around the places where they have been damaged, and the stalks will become limp and lackluster in taste and texture.
The plant’s leaves and stalks that have suffered damage should be pruned off and thrown away.
If the plants have not shown any damage symptoms two or three days following the freezing episode, it is okay to pick the Rhubarb.
Any stems that come up after the frost are good candidates for harvesting.
If you consume any damaged stalks or any of the leaves, you do not have to run to the nearest medical center. However, according to National Geographic, a person must consume several pounds of rhubarb leaves to attain hazardous dosages.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in Florida?
The months of April through June in Florida are ideal rhubarb harvesting months.
Rhubarb has to be grown on rich and slightly damp soil. Plant rhubarb in warm areas with a USDA hardiness zone 6 or above at a location that will provide some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. Rhubarb does not do well when grown in wet environments since it increases the risk of root rot, one of the few issues that may arise with this plant.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in California?
Early springs are the best seasons for Rhubarb growth in California.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in Minnesota?
The best time to eat Rhubarb in Minnesota is from the middle of spring through the end of summer. The duration of this season extends by harvesting hothouse rhubarb, which takes place in the latter part of winter or the early part of spring.
If you started from seed, you shouldn’t harvest anything until the third season has passed. A hardy perennial vegetable, Rhubarb thrives in the cold climate of Minnesota. One of the earliest crops to be harvested in the spring, it has a sour flavor and is related to buckwheat.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in New York?
Rhubarb is a plant that may live for many years and thrives in the chilly temperature of New York. When temperatures begin to warm up in the spring, growth starts. May through July is the time of year when most harvests take place. Rhubarb crops have the potential to continue producing fruit for at least eight years.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in Illinois?
In Illinois, the rhubarb harvest typically starts in the middle of June. It continues through August, with a second harvest occurring in August. You may assume that the stalks will have a more robust taste if the color is darker. In general, stalks of medium size are more sensitive than those of a big size, which may sometimes be stringy.
To prepare the leaves for storage, trim and then throw away any excess leaves. The newly gathered stalks may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks if you do not clean them. They are firmly wrapped in plastic and stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in Michigan?
Traditionally, the first harvest of field-grown Rhubarb occurs around the end of March or the beginning of April. At this time, the Rhubarb grown in greenhouses has grown; hence, their growing seasons may overlap very little.
As the season progresses and temperatures continue to climb, there is often a pattern of gradually slowing down the rate at which people carry out activities.
Early May and early June in northern Michigan mark the start of a brief but cherished baking season full of pies, crackers, cakes, condiments, and jams made with colorful stalks of tart rhubarb. You may find Rhubarb in Northern Michigan.
It is best to start fresh rhubarb plants very early in the spring if you want to ensure their success. Although it is possible to cultivate Rhubarb from seeds, most rhubarb plants begin by planting a division that has been removed from an existing crown. It is from this division that new rhubarb shoots emerge.
When Is Rhubarb in Season in Arizona?
The months of April through October are Rhubarb’s peak season, during which the stalks are at their longest and most plentiful. Since Rhubarb grows best in warm temperatures, its growing season in Arizona starts in March. It continues until the weather gets consistently warm in the summer.
After the temperature has remained below 90 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, the plant can start producing again. In contrast to the stems you may eat, rhubarb leaves are poisonous, and you should not consume them. A dark brown dye, comparable in appearance to that made from black walnut husks, may be derived from the plant’s roots. After you’ve planted it, it will continue to yield for between eight and twelve years.
Where To Get Rhubarb?
Field-grown rhubarb stalks are only available in the spring, from April through June, and you can only purchase them from a local farmer. You may harvest Rhubarb twice in the Pacific Northwest during the summer.
Because of the short growing season, you should use it whenever possible. It is often sold at farmer’s markets and may also get it from grocery shops. In most cases, it is offered for sale unpackaged and by the stalk. People sell the stalks by the pound and have a size comparable to that of huge individual celery stalks.
Suppose a farmer has a bumper harvest or a very successful growing season. In that case, they may sell their Rhubarb in larger quantities on the open market. No matter their color, the stalks should be thick and crisp, and the skin should be firm and lustrous. Keep an eye out for stalks that are rubbery, fibrous, and dry.
In the comfort of one’s backyard, Rhubarb may be cultivated and harvested. Keep the plant alive for at least one more year without picking it. After the first year, you will only be able to gather a portion of the crop; by the third year, you will be able to gather the whole crop. Take the stalks at least an inch thick to harvest, and leave the rest.
To harvest, either clip the stalks where they meet the earth or pluck off individual stalks as required. You can harvest the whole crop at once or do so in stages spread out over four and six weeks.
Final Words
There is nothing quite like the one Rhubarb gives when it comes to taste, whether you combine it with strawberries to make jam or bread pudding, which is one of my favorite desserts.
Suppose you have the good fortune to reside in the Northern states or Canada. In that case, Rhubarb can grow readily and produce lovely stalks in the springtime from April through June or July. If you don’t have good luck, you may always try growing it in warmer climates.
The ideal conditions for growing Rhubarb are found in the northern states of the United States, stretching from Maine to Illinois in the south and from Washington state in the west. Rhubarb is cultivated in several countries all over the globe, including China and several European countries.
