Always wondering where to find rhubarb when that craving hits? You’ll typically find fresh rhubarb stalks at farmers markets and larger grocery stores, especially during its peak season in spring and early summer. If you’re looking to start your own patch, rhubarb plants, crowns, and seeds are readily available online and at local nurseries. And for those moments when you just need a slice of pie, local bakeries and grocery store freezer aisles often stock rhubarb-filled treats. We’re going to break down exactly where to look for this tart, versatile vegetable, whether you want to cook with fresh stalks, grow your own, or just pick up a delicious strawberry rhubarb pie. Knowing where and when to find rhubarb means you can enjoy its unique flavor in everything from classic pies and crumbles to refreshing drinks and savory dishes, making sure you’re never without this delightful ingredient. For those who love to experiment, having a good rhubarb cookbook on hand can open up a world of new recipes!
Where to Snag Fresh Rhubarb Stalks
Finding fresh rhubarb is often about timing and knowing the right spots. It’s a seasonal treat, so being aware of its peak availability will definitely help you get the best stalks.
Farmers Markets and Local Farms
One of my absolute favorite places to find fresh, vibrant rhubarb is at a local farmers market. You’ll usually find the best selection and quality here, especially when it’s in season. Farmers often pick their rhubarb just before market day, meaning it’s incredibly fresh. You might even discover unique varieties you won’t see in regular grocery stores. Plus, you get to support local agriculture, which is always a win! Many local farms, like those in the Pacific Northwest, are known for their rhubarb crops. In places like Wisconsin, local farms start selling fresh rhubarb from May through late June. Don’t be shy to ask the growers for tips on how they use it or when their specific variety is at its prime. Sometimes, you can even find U-pick farms that offer rhubarb, which is a fun experience if you have one nearby. If you’re planning a trip to the market, a sturdy reusable produce bag is a must-have.
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Major Grocery Store Chains
You can definitely find fresh rhubarb at many larger grocery stores, but you really need to hit it during the right season. Look for it in the produce section, usually near other seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Publix: Many folks in areas like Florida have reported seeing fresh rhubarb at Publix, though sometimes it’s sold in smaller, cellophane-wrapped pieces. They also sometimes offer frozen rhubarb or even pre-made strawberry rhubarb pie, so it’s worth checking out.
- Walmart: Walmart often carries fresh rhubarb, especially during spring and early summer. You might also find other rhubarb products like preserves or even rhubarb root extract powder on their shelves or online.
- Kroger: I’ve seen fresh rhubarb pop up at Kroger, often in one-pound packages. Like other large chains, its availability is pretty seasonal.
- Whole Foods Market: This is usually a good bet for specialty produce. Whole Foods often stocks fresh rhubarb, and you can even check their Amazon-integrated online platform to see what’s in stock at your local store.
- Safeway and Smart & Final: These stores have also been mentioned as places where fresh rhubarb starts appearing in the spring.
- H-E-B: If you’re in Texas, H-E-B is another grocery chain where you can find fresh rhubarb, often listed under their specialty produce.
Remember, even at these stores, availability can vary significantly by region and season. The first field-grown rhubarb typically appears in late March to early April. Where to Buy Quail Chicks: Your Ultimate Guide
Specialty Produce and Natural Food Stores
Beyond the big chains, don’t overlook your local specialty produce shops or natural food stores. These places often pride themselves on offering a wider, more diverse selection of seasonal and harder-to-find ingredients. They might even carry rhubarb earlier or later in the season than conventional supermarkets, sometimes due to sourcing from different regions or hothouse growers. It’s always worth a call or a quick visit.
Community Supported Agriculture CSAs
If you’re into fresh, seasonal produce, joining a CSA program could be a fantastic way to get your hands on rhubarb. With a CSA, you pay a subscription fee to a local farm and, in return, receive a weekly box of whatever they’re harvesting. Rhubarb is a common spring crop for many farms, so if it’s part of their rotation, you’ll get it delivered right to you. It’s an excellent way to connect with your food source and enjoy peak-season ingredients.
Growing Your Own: Where to Buy Rhubarb Plants, Crowns, and Seeds
If you want a steady supply of rhubarb year after year, growing your own is definitely the way to go! Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable, meaning it comes back all on its own, often for more than ten years, with minimal fuss once established. You’ll need to decide if you want to start from plants, crowns, or seeds. Planting tools like a gardening trowel and gardening gloves will come in handy.
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Starting with a small plant or a crown from a local nursery or garden center is usually the easiest route, especially if you’re a beginner. They can offer advice tailored to your specific climate and soil conditions, and you can see the plants before you buy them. Many local garden centers will carry rhubarb plants in the spring. Look for nurseries near you, and don’t hesitate to ask the staff about the best varieties for your area and how to care for them. Some nurseries might even have “Michael Bros. Nursery & Garden Center” type setups that sell large, healthy plants. Where to buy quick fix synthetic urine
Online Nurseries
If you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, or you want a specific variety, online nurseries are a fantastic resource. They ship directly to your door, usually during the optimal planting season in spring.
- Nature Hills Nursery: They offer live rhubarb plants, often as bare-root divisions in spring or container-grown plants throughout the growing season.
- Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co.: Gurney’s has a good selection of rhubarb crowns, which are essentially dormant root sections ready for planting. They often highlight varieties known for brilliant red color, flavor, and cold hardiness.
- GrowJoy: This nursery prides itself on naturally grown rhubarb starter plants, ensuring they’re healthy and chemical-free.
- Burpee: A well-known name in gardening, Burpee offers both rhubarb seeds and plants, including popular varieties like Victoria Rhubarb.
- Stark Bro’s: They’ve been around since 1816 and offer rhubarb plants that are easy to grow and cold-hardy.
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds: You can find heirloom rhubarb seeds and dormant, organic bare-root crowns here, shipped typically from March through April.
- Eden Brothers: They carry Victoria Rhubarb seeds, which many gardeners love for their tall, tender, and sweet stalks.
- Holland Bulb Farms: They offer various rhubarb plant options, including Crimson Red and Victoria varieties.
- Berry Plants: This online retailer offers crown divisions of popular varieties like Canada Red, Crimson Red, and Victoria, suitable for zones 3-8.
When buying rhubarb crowns online, you’ll often see them sold in quantities like 5, 15, or even 50. Make sure you plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It’s recommended to let the plant establish itself for the first year, and only take a light harvest the second year.
Seed Retailers
Starting rhubarb from seed is a more economical option, though it takes a bit more patience as it will be longer before you can harvest.
- Walmart: Yes, you can find rhubarb seeds at Walmart, including popular varieties like Victoria.
- Survival Garden Seeds: They offer quality, non-GMO rhubarb seeds known for good germination rates.
- Eden Brothers, Burpee, Johnny’s Selected Seeds: These online nurseries also sell rhubarb seeds, often heirloom varieties.
- Amazon: You can find a variety of rhubarb seeds for planting from different sellers, often in smaller packet sizes perfect for home gardeners. Just be sure to check reviews.
- eBay: You might even find seeds and crowns on eBay from individual sellers, but always be cautious and check seller ratings.
Rhubarb seeds like ‘Victoria’ are widely considered excellent for cooking and baking. Remember, when you’re starting from seed, you’ll need consistent moisture, especially during the growing season.
Other Local Sources
Sometimes, the best finds are unexpected. Keep an eye out for local classified ads, yard sales, or roadside perennial plant sales, especially in rural areas. I’ve heard stories of people finding great rhubarb plants this way. Rhubarb festivals, if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby, can also be a fantastic place to buy plants and get advice from passionate growers. Where to Buy Peptides: Your Go-To Guide for Research and Wellness
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth: Where to Buy Rhubarb Pie and Other Goodies
Let’s be real, one of the main reasons many of us love rhubarb is for those deliciously tart pies and other baked goods! If you’re not up for baking your own or even if you are, but you need a quick fix, there are plenty of places to find ready-made rhubarb treats.
Local Bakeries and Pie Shops
The absolute best place to find a truly exceptional rhubarb pie is often at a dedicated local bakery or pie shop. These places take pride in their craft and often use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Many bakeries, like PIEfection AZ, offer a classic rhubarb pie sometimes without strawberries, which is great for purists!. Others, like Bunzel’s, might have a fantastic homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. A quick search for “where to buy rhubarb pie near me” on Google Maps should give you a good starting point. You might discover hidden gems like the Texan Cafe & Pie Shop or Pies Unlimited in your area.
Grocery Store Bakeries & Frozen Sections
Even if you don’t have a specialty pie shop nearby, many larger grocery stores have excellent bakery sections that offer seasonal pies.
- Haggen: I’ve seen them carry “Haggen Strawberry Rhubarb Pie” in their bakery section.
- Publix: As mentioned, Publix sometimes has pre-made strawberry rhubarb pies.
- Frozen Rhubarb: This is a lifesaver for making your own pies and crumbles off-season! Most grocery stores will have frozen rhubarb chunks in the frozen fruit section, right alongside frozen berries and peaches. It’s a great option if you can’t find fresh. Just make sure to grab a reliable pie dish if you’re baking at home.
Specialty Food Markets & Online Retailers
For other rhubarb-infused delights like jams, preserves, or even a unique chutney, specialty food markets are a great place to explore. You might find artisanal small-batch products that use rhubarb in creative ways. For a more convenient option, you can find a variety of rhubarb jam and preserves online from various retailers, including on Amazon or dedicated gourmet food sites. For example, Walmart carries St Dalfour Fruit Spread Strawberry and Rhubarb.
Timing is Everything: Seasonal Availability & Regional Nuances
Understanding when rhubarb is in season is crucial, as it really affects where you can find it.
When is Rhubarb in Season?
Rhubarb is a classic spring vegetable, often signaling the start of the warmer growing months.
- Hothouse Rhubarb: You might start seeing “forced” or hothouse rhubarb as early as January, and it can stick around until June. This type is grown indoors in darkened, temperature-controlled environments, which makes its stalks thinner and often a more uniform pink or red.
- Field-Grown Rhubarb: The first field-grown rhubarb usually pops up in late March to early April. The peak season for field rhubarb is generally May through late June, sometimes extending into July. Field-grown stalks tend to be thicker and can vary more in color from green to deep purplish-red.
While you can technically harvest rhubarb until the first frost, it’s generally best to significantly reduce or stop harvesting in late June or early July. This allows the plant to store energy for the winter and ensures it stays healthy for future seasons. Many growers in northern climates simply let their plants rest after mid-summer.
Regional Differences: Where it Thrives and Where it Struggles
Rhubarb loves cooler climates and actually needs a cold rest period to thrive and produce well. This means its availability and ease of growing can vary quite a bit across different regions in the U.S. and Canada.
- Northern Climates: States like Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, Iowa, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts are prime rhubarb-growing territory. You’ll often find it abundant in these areas during its season, even growing wild. The Pacific Northwest, particularly Washington state, is known for its crimson stalks.
- Warmer Climates like Florida: If you’re in a warmer region, like Florida, finding fresh rhubarb can be a real challenge. Rhubarb struggles to grow successfully in hot climates because it doesn’t get the necessary winter rest period. While some Publix stores in Central Florida might occasionally have it, it’s often small and scarce. Many residents in Florida report that fresh rhubarb is “virtually unknown” and incredibly hard to find locally, even frozen or canned. If you’ve moved south from a rhubarb-rich state, you might be disappointed and primarily rely on frozen options or attempts to grow it as a winter annual.
So, if you’re in the south, don’t be surprised if your search for fresh rhubarb is tougher! You might need to rely more on the frozen aisle or specialized online retailers. Where to Buy Labubu Clothes Online
Picking the Best: Tips for Choosing and Storing Rhubarb
Once you’ve tracked down your rhubarb, knowing how to pick the best stalks and keep them fresh is key.
What to Look For
When you’re at the store or market, look for these signs to ensure you’re getting quality rhubarb:
- Firm and Crisp Stalks: This is the most important thing. The stalks should feel firm and snap easily when bent, much like celery. Avoid any stalks that look limp, rubbery, or dried out at the ends, as this means they’ve lost moisture and aren’t as fresh.
- Color Doesn’t Always Matter: While many people prefer bright red stalks for their vibrant color in dishes, rhubarb’s color isn’t always an indicator of ripeness or flavor. Some varieties are naturally greener, but still offer that classic tart taste. Both green and red varieties have the same culinary components.
- Leaves Are Toxic: Always remember that rhubarb leaves are inedible and toxic due to high levels of oxalic acid. Make sure the leaves have been removed or discard them immediately upon getting home. You’re only interested in the stalks.
How to Store It
Rhubarb stores pretty well, which is great for extending its use.
- In the Fridge: For fresh stalks, wrap them loosely in plastic wrap or a damp paper towel and store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They can last for up to 2-3 weeks this way.
- Freezing: If you have a bounty of fresh rhubarb, freezing is a fantastic option to enjoy it year-round. Just chop the stalks into desired lengths, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, and then transfer the frozen pieces to an airtight freezer bag or container. Frozen rhubarb works wonderfully in most recipes, especially pies, crumbles, and sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy rhubarb at Walmart?
Yes, you can often buy fresh rhubarb at Walmart, especially during its peak season in spring and early summer. They also carry rhubarb seeds online and sometimes other rhubarb-related products like preserves. Availability of fresh produce can vary by location and season, so it’s always a good idea to check your local store’s stock.
Is rhubarb available year-round?
Fresh field-grown rhubarb is seasonal, typically available from late March or April through June or July. However, you can find “hothouse” rhubarb earlier in the year January to June. For year-round availability, your best bet is often frozen rhubarb, which most large grocery stores stock in their freezer aisles. Where to Buy Labubu Dolls
What’s the difference between rhubarb plants, crowns, and seeds?
Rhubarb seeds are used to start plants from scratch, which is the most economical option but takes the longest to yield a harvest. Rhubarb crowns are dormant root divisions from an established plant. These are a popular choice because they establish quicker and produce a harvest sooner than seeds, often yielding a light harvest in the second year. Rhubarb plants are typically young, actively growing rhubarb, usually sold in small pots at nurseries, offering the quickest path to harvest.
Can I grow rhubarb in a warm climate like Florida?
Growing rhubarb in warm climates like Florida is quite challenging because rhubarb needs a cold winter dormancy period to thrive. Without this, the plants tend to struggle and may die off in the summer heat. While some dedicated gardeners might attempt to grow it as a winter annual, it’s not well-suited for year-round perennial growth in such regions. Most people in Florida rely on finding it sparingly in grocery stores or buying frozen rhubarb.
What should I look for when buying fresh rhubarb?
When buying fresh rhubarb, always look for stalks that are firm, crisp, and free from soft spots or excessive bruising. The ends should not appear dried out. The color can range from green to deep red, and this usually depends on the variety and growing conditions, not necessarily its ripeness. Remember to never eat the leaves, as they are toxic. only the stalks are edible.
When is the best time to plant rhubarb crowns?
The best time to plant rhubarb crowns is usually in the early spring, while temperatures are still cool. This allows the roots to establish before the heat of summer. Some sources also suggest planting in late fall after the ground has frozen, especially for dormant divisions, but spring is generally preferred for optimal growth in most zones. If you order online, nurseries typically ship dormant crowns from March through June.
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