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03-01-2010, 12:42 AM
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When do you cover your rhubarb ?

I planted some rhubarb last spring and it grew very well though I didn't pick any the first year to give the crown chance to grow.

It is an early variety ( Timperley Early ) and I was wondering when to cover it to get early forced stems. I read I can cover it in January to pick in February but this seems very early particularly if the weather is cold.
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03-01-2010, 12:02 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

As soon as the Crowns start showing.


A lot of Gardeners dont force as they say the taste is not as good.
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03-01-2010, 12:28 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

I don't cover mine until it is on the plate then I usually use custard.
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03-01-2010, 12:37 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

My Dad always covered his as soon as the crown appeared.

I love forced rhubarb and think the taste is far sweeter than than unforced which tends to be very sour.
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03-01-2010, 01:15 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

Originally Posted by galty ->
As soon as the Crowns start showing.

A lot of Gardeners dont force as they say the taste is not as good.
No crown yet , I keep going to inspect it daily ...

Originally Posted by Victors Mate ->
I don't cover mine until it is on the plate then I usually use custard.
..a man after my own heart particularly if there is some orange crumble too

Originally Posted by Mags ->
My Dad always covered his as soon as the crown appeared.

I love forced rhubarb and think the taste is far sweeter than than unforced which tends to be very sour.
..I like forced rhubarb too. It arrives at a time when there is little else availible in the way of 'fresh' fruit and it's always very expensive in the shops (and I had about 40lb of damsons in the freezer many of which I have eaten , it will be nice to have a change ).
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03-01-2010, 01:38 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

I don`t grow rhubarb any more. Not with 4 dogs. Nobody will eat it
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03-01-2010, 04:03 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

Originally Posted by claireandaisy ->
I don`t grow rhubarb any more. Not with 4 dogs. Nobody will eat it


I agree with the previous suggestions for forcing. It's best to have 2 sections/crowns (if you've room) and force one section for early joy whilst leaving the other to grow naturally
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03-01-2010, 07:44 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

Originally Posted by dinahsmum ->


I agree with the previous suggestions for forcing. It's best to have 2 sections/crowns (if you've room) and force one section for early joy whilst leaving the other to grow naturally
Good advice.

I planted a crown down the lottie and thought I needed a couple of years to let it establish. You think I would know better living in the rhubarb triangle
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04-01-2010, 01:46 AM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

Originally Posted by dinahsmum ->


I agree with the previous suggestions for forcing. It's best to have 2 sections/crowns (if you've room) and force one section for early joy whilst leaving the other to grow naturally
I only have room for one crown DM (which is really enough for one small person, it was huge last year, I could have lived under it ). I hope to force a little bit then leave the rest to grow taking just a few stems at a time.
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05-01-2010, 02:57 PM
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Re: When do you cover your rhubarb ?

Rhubarb is like us all-it needs time to establish.

As for forcing the last thing you wany to do is protect it in weather like this-it seems that it wants cold weather to respond to forcing-March would be soon enough
 
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