Rhubarb Growing Guide

Rheum rhabarbarum

Rhubarb

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Well-drained soil with plenty of compost dug in.

Position

Sun or partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Yes, but leaves and shoots die back.

Feeding

Mulch with extra compost each year after the leaves have died down.

Spacing

Single Plants: 90cm (2' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 90cm (2' 11") with 90cm (2' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Grown from a crown (root) which can be split from a healthy plant and planted out, usually in mid winter.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Early sweet stems can be produced by forcing and blanching the rhubarb: in mid winter to early spring add dry material such as leaves or straw and cover with a deep container or bucket to exclude light for about one month.

Harvesting

Do not harvest during the first year of growth. After this, pull a few of the thicker sticks when long enough. Stop harvesting in early summer and allow plants to grow freely for the rest of the season.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Rhubarb