Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
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Give your garden beds a boost before winter with compost and organic matter.
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🌿 Autumn Plant Feed & Fertiliser
Prepare your soil for autumn planting with suitable fertilisers and soil nutrients.
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🥬 Seed Trays & Propagation Kits
Keep growing through autumn by starting suitable hardy crops under cover.
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Troubleshooting Tough, Woody, or Stringy Rhubarb Stems
Nothing is more disappointing than slicing into a stunning stalk of rhubarb, only to find it tough, woody, or full of stringy fibers. But tough rhubarb is fixable! Here’s why it happens, how to prevent it, and what to do in the kitchen if your stalks aren’t as tender as you hoped.
Why Does Rhubarb Get Woody or Stringy?
1. Old Crowns
- Rhubarb plants more than 5–7 years old, especially if undivided, often develop tough central stalks.
- Solution: Divide and replant crowns every 5 years for fresh, vigorous growth.
2. Late Harvest
- Harvesting late in the summer or after peak season (July/August) often yields tough stalks.
- Solution: Pick regularly from spring to mid-summer; let plants rest and recover after July.
3. Dry or Neglected Patch
- Drought or infrequent watering makes stalks fibrous and dry.
- Solution: Deep water during dry spells and mulch each spring for consistent moisture.
4. Nutrient-Poor or Exhausted Soil
- Hungry rhubarb can grow thin, stringy, or tough.
- Solution: Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost, and feed as described in feeding guides.
5. Variety Differences
- Some green or heritage varieties are naturally more fibrous.
- Solution: Plant modern, tender-stalked types (e.g., ‘Timperley Early’, ‘Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise’, ‘Canada Red’).
How to Use and Fix Woody Rhubarb
- Peel the stalks: Use a knife or veggie peeler to strip away the outer fiber before cooking.
- Chop finely: Cut across the fiber; smaller pieces soften more in stewing or pie filling.
- Cook longer: Add extra sugar or juice and simmer for tender compote or jam.
Preventing Tough Stalks in the Garden
- Divide and renew old crowns every 5–7 years in autumn or early spring.
- Never over-harvest: Leave at least a third of stalks at all times.
- Keep plants well-fed and watered.
- Pick regularly: Don’t let stalks become over-mature on the plant.
- Remove flower spikes: They divert energy from stalk production and can signal the plant is stressed.
Wrapping Up
Even the best-tended rhubarb can throw out the odd woody stalk—especially at season’s end or from an ancient, undivided crown. With good gardening practice and a few kitchen tricks, you’ll enjoy more tender rhubarb in every dish—and a happier patch, season after season.