Why does rhubarb bolt early in the season?

This is our rhubarb yesterday at the end of April. Why is it bolting? Well it could be several factors. Lets look at the common ones.

• Plant stress, such as high temperatures, prolonged drought, or poor nutrition. We have had high temperatures but the moisture is definitely been adequate. Nutrition could be a factor with this bed as it is a perennial bed and does not get fresh compost this year. I will definitely side dress this bed this week and see how it responds.
  

• Variety: Some rhubarb varieties are more likely to bolt than others. We have two varieties that we grow. A strawberry rhubarb and one that we took starts from our neighbor of unknown origin. The strawberry rhubarb develops red stalks where the unknown variety has green stalks. They taste and cook up the same but have a different look.
  

• Poor soil: Soil lacking nutrients can contribute to bolting.
  

• Age: Older rhubarb plants are more prone to bolting.
  

• Heat: Warm weather, especially during spring, can cause rhubarb to bolt. I think this is most likely the case on our farm as we have been experiencing mid 70 degree days.
  

• Other stressors: Insect or animal damage to leaves, or nutrient deficiencies. We have not had any insect issues yet this year and the goats have been tempted to jump the fence but as of yet they have resisted nibbling on the poisonous leaves thank goodness.

So what do you do? First you merely cut the flower stalk out of the plant. You will have to continue to due this for a while until the plant decides to give up on reproduction and just settles into producing stalks and leaves. This will take a week or two. Then side dress it with some good compost and ensure it has sufficient moisture. Happy growing!