@learntogrow1: Hi everyone! I wanted to share this right away as it is usually best to start the process now through February. Info below. Have you ever tried forcing rhubarb? You’ll not only get an earlier harvest, the stalks or petioles will be milder in flavor as stored sugars are concentrated in them instead of the leaves. The leaves will be pale, due to blocked sunlight, but look at how gorgeous the reddish-pink petioles are! (Leaves are toxic!) ✳️ It’s best to wait for your plants to establish before forcing them to grow. Newly planted rhubarb is usually harvested in the second season. If you’d like to force it, it’s a good idea to wait till the third year. ✅ Place a tall pot over the crowns as shown, (30-36 inches tall). Cover any holes to prevent light from penetrating. Covering the crowns will also create a microclimate inside warming up the soil and waking the buds from dormancy. ☀️Plants cannot photosynthesize without sunlight, therefore the stalks stretch in search of light and the foliage remain a light color. (Phototropism: Direction of plant growth in response to a light source) ✅ Keep the crowns covered for 7-8 weeks. Harvest the stalks when they’re about 8-12 inches long. Compost the leaves as they’re not edible and contain a significant amount of oxalic acid which can make people ill. ✅ Allow your plant to regenerate for the remaining of the year and store energy for next year’s harvest. It’s a good idea to grow multiple plants so you can harvest throughout the growing season. This variety is called Victoria. Are you planning on forcing your rhubarb this year? #rhubarb #gardeningtips #vegetablegarden #growfood #permaculture

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Saturday 07 January 2023 05:59:59 GMT