2024 the greater metropolitan Des Moines area of Iowa Rhubarb U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org
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Rhubarb U-Pick Orchards in the greater metropolitan Des Moines area of Iowa in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for rhubarb that we know of in this area.
Not all areas of a state have rhubarb farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.
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Polk County
Upstream Gardens & Orchard - apples, asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), other berries, pears, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (Autumn, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, walnuts, Honey from hives on the farm 5987 Ne 88th St, Altoona, IA 50009. Phone: 515-957-1303. Email: upstreamgardens@gmail.com. Open: See the main page on our website for hours as they may change on a weekly basis. Directions: From I-80 exit 143, go south to NE 9th Street \(where the median stops\) and turn left. Go 2 miles and turn left again. Farm is on the right side of the road .7 miles from the turn. From Altoona, take 8th Street SW east out of town to NE 88th Street \(East edge of the golf course\) Turn left and go North.1.7 miles. Farm is on right side of the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Upstream Gardens & Orchard Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 515-556-4197 From I-80 exit 143, go south to NE 9th Street (where the median stops) and turn left. Go 2 miles and turn left again. Farm is on the right side of the road .7 miles from the turn. From Altoona, take 8th Street SW east out of town to NE 88th Street (East edge of the golf course) Turn left and go North.1.7 miles. Farm is on right side of the road (UPDATED: April 29, 2022, JBS) (UPDATED: April 18, 2016)
Story County
The Berry Patch - Integrated pest management, Apples, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, currants (red and black), gooseberries, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, horse-drawn hay rides, tractor-pulled hay rides 62785 280 Street, Nevada, IA 50201. Phone: 877-382-5138. Email: info@berrypatchfarm.com. Open: Click here for picking updates. Directions: from Des Moines, north on I35 to exit 102,turn east on 210. Go east 5 miles to S14, go north 6 miles to 280 st. Go east 34 miles to Berry Patch Farm. From Ames: East on US 30 8 miles to S14. South 4 miles to 280 Street East 34 miles to Berry Patch Farm Directions and Mapquest on our web site. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. The Berry Patch Facebook page. et, Nevada, IA 50201 from Des Moines, north on I35 to exit 102,turn east on 210. Go east 5 miles to S14, go north 6 miles to 280 st. Go east 3/4 miles to Berry Patch Farm. From Ames: East on US 30 8 miles to S14. South 4 miles to 280 Street East 3/4 miles to Berry Patch Farm Directions and Mapquest on our web site Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October. please check website for current hoursHeritage Red Raspberries and Fall Gold Raspberries, Apples; Honeycrisp, Earlygold, Gala, Mollies Delicious, Mac Intosh, Priscilla , Liberty, Red Cortland, Jonathon, Lura Red
Rhubarb
Rhubarb Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
Rhubarb
is a cool weather crop, which appears in the late Spring. The stalks are the
edible portion, never eaten raw (too acidic), but cooked and sweetened, they
have a flavor much like strawberries.
The stalks that grow from energy stored in the roots the previous
year are the part that is harvested. After picking stalks for a few
weeks, the plants must be left for the rest of the growing season to
recover and save energy for the next year.
Strawberries are usually ripe about the same time as rhubarb, and
since the two flavors compliment each other so well, many recipes
combine them. One thing rhubarb does not like: prolonged periods of
hot, humid weather. It is really difficult to grow rhubarb in
the deep South (unless you plant it as an annual, planting new roots
early each Spring).
Most people prefer smaller stems (12 inches to 18inches long. The
larger, fatter stems can be tough and fibrous, which is worse during
summer heat and drought.
Tips on How to Pick Rhubarb
Pick only the best Rhubarb:
Select firm stalks, nothing wilted.
Grasp the stalk near the base of the plant
Twist the the stalk in a
rotating motion gently, but firmly until you feel; the stalk separate. Or,
if the farm prefers, cut the stalks an inch or two above the base.
Do not
remove more than one third of the leaves from a plant at one time.
Immediately remove the poisonous leaves from the stalk, discard them in the
walkway.
Rhubarb festivals: Most areas that grow rhubarb have a
Rhubarb festival, at which you
can taste all kinds of fresh Rhubarb foods, pies, jams, cakes - and most
commonly, fresh Rhubarb shortcake. To find out where and when there
is one near you, see this
page for a list of Rhubarb festivals, sorted by state!
Rhubarb measurements: 2 lbs. of chopped stalks is
about 4 cups.
The stalks are the only edible part of the plant; in
fact, the leaves of rhubarb are poisonous. The leaves
contain the high concentrations of oxalic acid, which gives the
rhubarb it's astringent taste. So don't let your children or
pets eat the leaves. I usually twist the leaves off the
stalk and throw them on the ground to become mulch.
One cup of Rhubarb contains only about 50 calories
U-pick Rhubarb are much healthier than store-bought. Consumer
reports says store bought Rhubarb have so many pesticide and fungicide
residues on they, that they don't recommend you eat them at all!
Rhubarb has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal plant by the
Chinese.
Always call before you go to the farm - Rhubarb are affected by weather
(both rain and cooler temperature) more than most crops. And when they are
in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL
first!
Leave
early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
Some growers furnish picking containers designed
for Rhubarb, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring
containers.
Plastic dishpans make good containers.
Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can
work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the
sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring
along if it has been rainy.
When you get home
Refrigerate, they will stay good for about a week or two, but the fresher,
the better.
Do not wash the stalks, just wrap in plastic wrap. .
Before planting, eliminate all weeds, especial persistent
invasive weeds, like Bermuda grass, nutsedge, etc.
Choose a site that is sunny, well-drained, with a loose
loamy soil. Rhubarb does not like the shade nor sitting in
water.
Plant rhubarb crowns in early spring as soon as the ground
can be worked.
Some varieties of Rhubarb can be planted in the fall after
they have gone dormant. (check with the nursery)
Dig large holes and work in compost. Rhubarb plants are
heavy feeders.
Space rhubarb plants about 3 or 4 feet apart and plant
the crowns 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the soil.
Mulch with a heavy layer of straw, compost and rotted manure
Water and weed your plant well.
Remove seed stalks as soon as they appear.
Rhubarb Varieties
There are two common types of rhubarb, those with bright red
stalks (like Crimson Red) and those whose stalks are mostly green.
They taste about the same, but most people prefer the red.I
ahve usually
bought my crowns from Indian Berry; I've found them to be
reliable and provide large crowns. (I have no affiliation with them)
Canada Red (extra sweet)
Cherry Red (red inside and out)
Crimson Red (slimmer diameter red stalks) (photo of plant
above right)
MacDonald (tender skin; bright red)
Ruby
Valentine (good flavor)
Victoria (green with red tint - see photo at right)