Rhubarb- Forcing and Early Season Harvesting

Forcing Rhubarb: A Simple Trick for Tender, Early Harvests

Rhubarb is a beloved perennial in many gardens, prized for its tart stalks that brighten up pies, jams, and sauces. But did you know you can get an earlier and more tender harvest by "forcing" rhubarb? This simple technique involves covering the crowns with a bucket, an old planter, or a traditional rhubarb forcer to encourage the plants to grow earlier in the season and produce sweeter, more delicate stems.

Why Force Rhubarb?

Forcing rhubarb has a few key benefits:

- Earlier Harvest:By covering rhubarb in late winter or early spring, you can encourage growth weeks before outdoor temperatures would normally allow.

- Sweeter, More Tender Stalks: Forced rhubarb grows in darkness, which results in stalks that are less fibrous, with a delicate texture and milder, less tart flavor.

- Extended Growing Season: Harvesting forced rhubarb early allows the plant to recover and produce another round of stalks later in the season.

How to Force Rhubarb 🌱

Forcing rhubarb is simple and requires just a few materials:

1. Choose the Right Plants – Select well-established rhubarb crowns that are at least three years old. Forcing younger plants can weaken them.

2. Cover the Crown – In late winter or early spring, place an upturned bucket, an old large flowerpot, or a special rhubarb forcer over the crown. Make sure no light can penetrate.

3. Keep It Warm– If possible, insulate the cover with straw, bubble wrap, or soil around the base to trap warmth and encourage growth.

4. Check for Growth – After 3 to 6 weeks, check under the cover. The stalks should be long, pale pink, and ready to harvest.

5. Harvest Carefully – Pick the stalks by gently twisting and pulling them from the base. Avoid taking too many, as the plant still needs energy to regrow for later harvests.

 After Forcing: Let the Plant Recover

Once you've harvested forced rhubarb, remove the cover and allow the plant to continue growing naturally for the rest of the season. Avoid forcing the same plant two years in a row, as this can weaken it. Rotating which plants you force each year ensures continued health and productivi A Traditional Garden Secret

Forcing rhubarb has been a long-standing tradition, especially in regions with cold winters. This method was popularized in England, where forced rhubarb is even grown commercially in what’s known as the "Rhubarb Triangle." But even in a home garden, this simple trick can provide you with an early taste of spring while keeping your rhubarb patch thriving.

Have you tried forcing rhubarb before? Let me know in the comments, and share your favorite ways to use these tender, early stalks!