Looking for a sign that spring has finally settled in? For many, it’s the arrival of rhubarb — that bright red, tart stalk that finds its way into everything from pies to sauces. At farms across Wisconsin, rhubarb season is in full swing, and one farm in particular is seeing their best crop yet. 

Ed Bures, owner of the farm, says this year’s rhubarb is some of the best he’s grown in 25 years. “We’ve probably got 1,000 pounds of rhubarb out there,” he says. “It’s the best-looking rhubarb I’ve ever had.”

Each of their 200 rhubarb plants is grown on raised mounds, spaced about three feet apart. The plants are irrigated regularly and were originally transplanted from an organic farm nearby. “We added compost and horse manure when we planted,” Bures explains. “It helped them get well-established.”

This season’s cooler temperatures have helped the rhubarb grow without stress. “Cool springs are great for early crops like rhubarb,” he says. “We’ve also seen very few insects, which makes a big difference.”