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Can my customers eat rhubard after it has been hit with frost?
Heard from one of my customers that they heard that you shouldn't eat the stalks from rhubard that has been hit with frost. Any truth to this? Why do you know? So what they do is pull those stalks, throw away and wait for the new stalks to come up? Thanks, and now more seasonable weather instead of 80 degrees in March. It makes gardeners all anxious to plant that is for sure. Thanks Becky Litterer
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Permalink Reply by Michael Pawelek on
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From the Rhubarb Compendium...
Frost Damage Rhubarb hit by a frost or freeze can still be eaten provided the stalks are still firm and upright. Leaf injury may be noticeable with some brown or black discoloration on the edges. If the stems appear soft and mushy, do not eat them. Severe cold injury may cause the oxalic acid crystals in the leaves to migrate to the stalks increasing the likelihood of poisoning problems. If in doubt about the safety of eating the stalks, don't. Cut those stalks off and compost them. Allow new stalks to develop before eating, or if it is the end of the growing season, try forcing some rhubarb indoors (see Forcing in winter).
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Permalink Reply by Becky Litterer on -
THANKs for the information. I do a radio show, and a newsletter so this will be read in that.
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