Anyone with rhubarb in their garden told 1 thing is crucial in April

Gardeners are being urged to take care when growing rhubarb and told it all comes down to timing. People who grow rhubarb use a technique known as forcing rhubarb, which allows for more tender stalks and sweeter rhubarb. It works by depriving the rhubarb plant of light early in the season, allowing for the most delicious rhubarb jam, cake or even gin come summertime.

But experts have warned not to do it in April, as it is now unfortunately too late. Typically, forced rhubarb is ready to be picked roughly seven to eight weeks after being covered. The rhubarb forcing method also includes providing the right amount of nutrients, methods and environment, forcing for an early harvest to ensure an enhanced flavour.



According to horticulturist Erik Collado Vidal however, the timing of this method is crucial and by April it's too late. He explained: "I wouldn't force rhubarb in April. It's too late and by this time, the plant is already pushing up natural growth.

" Therefore, the ideal time for rhubarb forcing typically lies between December and March. This is the time when the plant is dormant with forcing at this time helping to encourage a crop of pale pink and tender stalks. "That stored energy is what gives you those tender, sweet stalks during forcing,” added Vidal.

“Once you see new shoots breaking through the soil, the plant is moving into its normal growth phase, and forcing interrupts that." For those who have left the horticulture technique on rhubarbs too late, fear not as experts advise the best course of action removing the container it's in and allowing the plant to grow naturally. If you notice that your rhubarb plants are becoming weak and old, experts suggest dividing them in winter in order to help rejuvenate the plant encouraging new growth.

As forcing requires a lot of energy from the rhubarb plant, doing this method too late in the season could mean a rhubarb plant unable to recover and may impact a healthy crop come later in the summer. Experts further advise avoiding using this forcing technique on the same plant for two years in a row which could also hinder its recovery..