Inspired by a comment on the original article, here is an update on our Great Rhubarb Experiment. In a word (okay, two words) , it is an astonishing success. We continue to trial new varieties. In the photo above, Crimson Sunrise is the plant in front on the far right. while Red Surprise and Ebony are elsewhere in the yard. But for all of us, Tina’s Noble continues to be the huge, vigorous standout. It has now grown continuously for three and half years, slowing down in only the very hottest part of the summer but never going entirely dormant and coming back better than ever with the winter rains. You can see in this photo
that my original plant has developed three different heads (probably not the correct term) and will need to be divided when I can figure out the appropriate time.
For sweetness and tenderness, however, Success is my favorite. (It is the two plants on the front left in the top photo, the smaller just planted this year). It tends to flourish at different times of year from the Tina’s Noble. As a result we are all harvesting at least six to nine months out of twelve.
At this point, we haven’t ordered new seeds and therefore will probably not be offering anything other than plants thinned from our gardens. Since seedlings are always iffy (just beyond my massive Tina’s Noble plant is one that is not doing as well) growing from divisions will probably yield more reliable plants in the future.
Is there any way to get Tina’s Noble in the near future? I live on the Central Coast near Pismo Beach.
The easiest way is just to order seeds from French Harvest. I don’t expect us to have plants to sell for several years.
Paul, as it happens, spurred on by a fruit grower in Orange, I have started a whole new batch of Tina’s Noble seeds, as well as Crimson Sunrise which so far is just as vigorous. These should be available at our plant sale in December (or earlier if you happen to be in Santa Monica and want to arrange for purchase).
That’s so exciting to be able to grow rhubarb here in SoCal! Any chance you still have any plants or seeds available for sale? I’m assuming not as we’re well past December, but thought I’d check efore placing an order from French Harvest…Thank you!
Hi Tracy! I actually just started a new batch of Tina’s Noble and Success seedlings so they should be available at our plant sale (probably in October this year).
Oh great to hear! Thanks so much!!
I like the idea of growing my own rhubarb. I went to the USDA APHIS site for a seed import permit and it seems one isn’t needed for commercial rhubarb. can someone tell me their experience with Permits. (sent hope fully to my email). The French Harvest site is inspiring.
I had a plant growing under moving shade from tall trees. It given to me at a community garden so some kind of pass-along, but I lost it. Here in NorCal/ Chico hot hot summers but winters with some unpredictable freeze nights
You can just go ahead and order seeds from French Harvest. For the small quantities we are getting, no permit required. Rhubarb by its nature can handle cold. Our challenge has been getting it to handle our hot weather. The French Harvest varieties do though they require shade at least in the summer months.