Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P                

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. You will have a stronger plant if you leave it for about a year before using..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, etc)

Your comments and tips

03 Apr 16, Peta (Australia - temperate climate)
My rhubarb continues to produce only very thin stalks, I have mulched, fed, and deep watered but nothing seems to encourage thicker stalks. What could the problem be?
22 Apr 16, Tempest (Australia - temperate climate)
One of my rhubarb plants is the same. My mother said it was because the roots weren't thick/big enough yet. She reckoned with continued care (water, compost/chook manure, appropriate sunlight), the roots would grow and the stalks get thicker. She advised me not to take any of the slim stalks off because they were helping the rhubarb gather energy. I'm not yet at a point where I can tell you if it's worked, but thought I'd share what I've beenmtold anyway.
19 Mar 16, Olwen Berge (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When should you stop feeding the rhubarb plants? When picking the stems, I was told to only take one quarter of the stems at a time, and have had a good continuous supply. Have 2 red stemmed plants and one with green stems, both taste the same!
06 Mar 16, Fred Brown (Australia - temperate climate)
my plant has died back in the 40 degree temperature what should I do, I have watered it but not over watered, should I just leave it until next season
22 Apr 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As long as you've continued watering it, it should recover. We lost all our rhubarb stalks on young crowns in summer one year, but I can tell you that once the weather cooled, they happily tried again and now they're growing nicely.
28 Feb 16, Lucy T (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you grow rhubarb (roots) from a harvested stalk (which has been cut)?
22 Apr 16, Tempest (Australia - temperate climate)
Alas no. You need a rhubarb crown. Whilst you can grow rhubarb from seed, it's a bit more hit and miss in terms of colour and taste, and using a crown is much faster to establish.
18 Feb 16, Relda (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We planted a rhubarb plant at the beginning of last year which has been growing well. I have been watering each day over these hot summer days. I have used sheep pellets and we have been eating it lately. However, the plant is healthy looking but as the leaves grow something seems to be eating them and making them like a lace cloth. It's awful. I cannot see anything under the leaves. I have seen a couple of ants running around. I have snail and slug bait out - not seen any. What is ruining the look of my lovely rhubarb plant. Please help.
25 Apr 16, Raewyn McConnell (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
This damage could be done by earwigs. Layer some damp newspapers nearby. Earwigs love to live between the layers. Paper can then be disposed of earwigs and all.
15 Feb 16, Lee Patterson (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Taree, New South Wales. It is quite hot during Summer and reasonably cold in Winter. When would be the best time for me to plant Rhubarb. Thanking you.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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