Now is the season for rhubarb. The luscious pinky-red stalks are ready to pick this month, from April through to early July.
But before you take your tangy harvest into the kitchen to stew and drizzle over ice cream or pancakes, lop off those leaves.
The leaves are inedible as they contain high amounts of oxalic acid that is toxic to both humans and animals, meaning only the stalks should be consumed (enjoyed both raw or cooked). The leaves are best placed on the compost heap where the oxalic acid will naturally break down as they decompose.
Rhubarb is a gardener's favourite for its ease to yield a bountiful crop. It's ever so easy to grow and requires very little nurturing, even for the most time-strapped of growers.
That said, you do need to wait a couple of years from first planting to reap the rewards as no crop should be cut in the first year and very few stalks in the second to help the plant bed in. Then, the ‘rhubarb rule’ for harvesting is to never pull out more than a third of the plants stalks.
This hardy perennial can be grown in ground soil, raised beds and even containers (just make sure it's a large pot), as they do need a lot of room to grow.
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Small holder and Country Living columnist Sally Coulthard says: "Rhubarb is heaven for a busy smallholder because it looks after itself and the same plant will keep on gifting you sustenance for years.
"Like me, rhubarb loves an open, sunny garden, but can cope with semi-shade. What it hates is being waterlogged, so you just need to make sure it’s sitting in free-draining soil. I’ve always grown my rhubarb from plants rather than seeds – I’m far too impatient."
While you'd be forgiven for thinking rhubarb is a fruit, for its use in plenty of desserts, it is in fact a vegetable and can add punch to both savoury and sweet dishes.
Sally continues: "Alongside everyone’s school favourite – rhubarb crumble – these blush-pink stalks also make amazing jellies, curds, drinks, chutneys, cakes and much more besides. Rhubarb also makes a zingy, mouthwatering accompaniment to fatty meats such as duck or pork, and oily fish such as mackerel. Even smothered in custard, it’s still good for you, providing a rich source of vitamins K and C".
Learn more about how to grow rhubarb with Le Manoir's gardener Nadya Pearson via our Plot to Plate YouTube series.
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Alaina is the Style & Interiors Editor at Country Living (previously Home & Crafts Editor). Her creative eye stretches over decorating, style shoots, seasonal inspiration and craft, as well as event styling and licensing creatives. She has a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and started her 17 year career at Hearst on House Beautiful before discovering a love for nature, the country home and bird watching. Alaina also works on Modern Rustic where she champions talented makers, and Vintage Home. Alaina has held several craft workshops and talks and styled a Country Living with Raymond Blanc's at Le Manoir.
