When to harvest rhubarb?

Surely almost everyone knows this unusual and interesting plant, which looks like burdocks with its leaves since childhood. But what distinguishes rhubarb from wild burdock is that rhubarb can also be harvested for food. The main difference and peculiarity of this plant is its usual appearance and a rather pleasant taste with sourness. Technically, rhubarb is considered a vegetable, but in cooking it is used as a fruit, it is used to make pies, jams and drinks.

Rhubarb is a perennial. Siberia is considered the birthplace of this plant. Rhubarb stalks are the only part of the plant that is allowed to be eaten, and its leaves, which contain large amounts of oxalic acid, are considered poisonous. Now in their gardens, farmers and summer residents are increasingly beginning to plant this simple plant and they are worried not only about growing this plant, but also about harvesting. After all, he, like any other plant, has its own characteristics and rules for harvesting, even for the purpose of consumption as food, even for the purpose of treatment.

How to harvest rhubarb with stalks correctly

Collecting rhubarb: photo

Rhubarb begins to grow out of the soil closer to summer, more precisely in the month of May. At this moment, the trunks of the plant are rather fragile and very thin, withstanding only young leaves. The petioles are rather long with a pink color. It is during this period of time that rhubarb should be cut for use in cooking. During this period, young petioles contain a large number of useful properties and trace elements, including organic acids. Moreover, they are used not only for food, but also for medicinal purposes.

If we consider it in culinary use, then young trunks are used not only fresh, but also as a component for the preparation of various dishes. There are now numerous recipes with this plant, from jam to pies. There is only one mine with when using this plant in an unprocessed form: it is impossible for people suffering from deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, as well as young children.

When collecting young petioles of this plant, you need to follow some rules so that they do not lose all their taste and healing characteristics, and also so as not to accidentally harm the plant. These are the rules:

• The most important thing in harvesting rhubarb is to make the right choice in favor of a young plant. The trunks of such a plant should have a fairly fragile structure and rich in taste. Based on this, the collection of petioles is carried out in May, and even with the second sprouting, this is approximately in mid-July. Those plant trunks that have grown from 20 to 75 centimeters and have a width of no more than 1.5 centimeters are consumed for food.
• The stalk must not be broken, it must be torn off, and at the very surface of the earth. This is done quite gently and without sudden movements, very gently grab the lower part of the plant and scrolling a little. If it is difficult for you to tear off the stem in this way, then you can simply trim it very carefully in the place closest to the surface of the earth.
• You cannot remove all the foliage from the rhubarb so that it does not die. In order for rhubarb to continue to grow and develop normally, it should have about 5 leaves, and two of them should be just formed.
• It is forbidden to collect the trunks of the plant for use in food during the gathering of the color of the plant, since at this time the taste characteristics of the petioles change, and also due to the large accumulation of oxalic acid during this period they become unsuitable for consumption and unhealthy.Therefore, experienced gardeners do this: they simply remove the stalks of the peduncle, thereby increasing the time for cutting the stems.

When can rhubarb be harvested?

Rhubarb roots are widely used for medicinal purposes. The roots of rhubarb begin to be pulled out in the spring, before the formation of shoots, or in the fall, when all the foliage of the plant has already died out, this is approximately from the end of September to the beginning of October. In addition, it is in late autumn that rhubarb, namely its roots, is considered more painless and safe for the plant.

The root of this plant has been used for a very long time as an excellent remedy for prevention and healing from nature. It can cause a not strong laxative effect, normalizes the digestive tract and helps to remove all toxins from the human body. The composition of rhubarb root contains anthraglycosides, due to which it is used for such purposes as:

• to remove toxic substances, excess fats, and biological poisons from the human body
• for faster healing after various bone fractures
• to improve the digestive tract and increase appetite
• in the fight against excess weight
• with arthritic disease
• in the treatment of forms of hepatitis and other liver diseases
• for the prevention of cancer
• with constipation
• to get rid of depression
• it is advised to use it for women during menopause.

You need to know that rhubarb root has different effects on humans. It depends on what kind of remedy will be used. Let's look at some examples:

• The plant extract from its root, in a liquid state, is used as a laxative, but in tablets, if used in small quantities, the effect will be the opposite, since in this form it is used as a strengthening agent.
• Healing hair dye is prepared from a decoction of this root, it perfectly strengthens and heals the hair.
• An infusion of crushed rhubarb root and water is a good remedy for the treatment of the liver, it has a choleretic effect
• Infusion of rhubarb root and vinegar is an excellent remedy for the treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis.
• Pureed rhubarb root is an ideal companion for face and hand care.

There are no special nuances because how and when to collect rhubarb, there is only the main and only condition - it is to dig up the plant correctly in order to minimize the risk of damage to the rhubarb. To do this, they begin to pull it out from the edge of the bush, and in such a way as not to damage all the roots of the plant.

The dug root is thoroughly cleaned of soil and all petioles, as well as all small and lateral roots, are cut out from it. Then it is thoroughly washed under running cold water and then laid out for drying in a well-lit place.

The cut and well-dried root of the plant can not only be used fresh, but also dried. In this form, it can be stored, and not lose its medicinal and healing characteristics for another three years. Dry rhubarb root in a room that is fairly ventilated. This process is also carried out using an electric dryer, at a temperature of about 50-60 degrees. If the roots after this procedure are rather fragile and light enough, then you have dried correctly. The dried roots are stored in a sufficiently dry and cool place. To do this, you can use a cardboard, fabric, or wooden container. The main rule during storage is to maintain a regular level of air humidity, so that the root cannot be dampened.

Conclusion

Rhubarb is harvested for different purposes and needs. The only thing is that you need to follow the rules when collecting both the stalks of the plant and its roots, so that this and the new crop will only benefit you.