Eating produce from my garden - Ask Extension
1. At the beginning of the summer, our rhubarb flourished. We picked and ate the rhubarb. Now the leaves have red spots and the rhubarb doesn't look a...
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Eating produce from my garden #798519
Asked June 29, 2022, 11:04 AM EDT
1. At the beginning of the summer, our rhubarb flourished. We picked and ate the rhubarb. Now the leaves have red spots and the rhubarb doesn't look as healthy. What is wrong? Is it safe to eat the rhubarb now? I heard that we shouldn't eat rhubarb after July 4. Correct?
2. Each year in early June, Rainbow Lawncare puts organic fertilizer on our yard and sprays the weeds, dandelion, wood sorrel, and common purslane. According to your website, we can eat these weeds. Because of the spraying, we won't eat these weeds this year. If we cancel with Rainbow Lawncare, can we eat these weeds next year (2023)?
Thanks!
Miriam Cameron (<personal data hidden>)
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The rhubarb is probably reacting to the stress of summer heat. It is not poisonous but pulling it now will weaken the roots. Just keep watering it and let it go dormant in its own time. As far as the weeds, you could check with the lawn service but I doubt if they use any product that would remain in the soil/plant over the winter. If the plants come up in the spring, they should be free of herbicides.
