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

27 Oct 13, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
NO, you pull the stalks away from the plant. New stalks will grow from between the existing stalks. I fertilise with compost and blood and bone and my plants do very well
13 Oct 13, Sue Williams (Australia - temperate climate)
I've got 2 rhubarb plants, possibly about 10 years old - beautiful huge glossy leaves but the stalks are only about 4" long. I've heard that rhubarb is a big feeder so they've got plenty of well rotted horse manure but it only seems to be feeding the leaves ! Help ......
24 Sep 13, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
How long do I leave the stalks before I pick and cook them? I've been waiting ages for the to turn the beautiful red colour but they are still green with red tinge! It is only a young plant, does that make a difference?
18 Oct 13, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Judy, When I bought my rhubarb the man at the garden store had 2 types - one where the stalks turned red and one where they stayed green. Did you by a varity that goes red? Wendy
25 Oct 13, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Wendy, I really didn't take that much notice as I didn't realise you could have the green variety! I think though it is the red. I have read other comments and maybe it's because the plant is new, may take another year or so to be at its best!
23 Sep 13, Janet (Australia - temperate climate)
My Rhubarb leaves are huge stems are short and stumpy how can i fix this problem
30 Aug 13, ken (Australia - temperate climate)
To neutralize the acidity when cooking rhubarb, my mum used to cook it in the juice of orange( one or two) depending on how much you are cooking. MOST PEOPLE TEND TO DROWN IT.( makes it too sloppy) Do not overdo the fluid You will need sweetener as well!!!!!
10 Aug 13, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Would anyone have any roots of rhubarb to spare please? Or let me know where I could find them in the Toowoomba area of Queensland. I have tried growing them from seedlings but with no success.
01 Oct 13, Jen (Australia - temperate climate)
The nursery on Prescott street so has them too :-) that's where I got mine and I will be going back to get some more Very soon
27 Aug 13, Jen (Australia - temperate climate)
Helen - there was rhubarb plants at Bunnings (Toowoomba) approx 1-2 weeks ago when I was there
Showing 541 - 550 of 639 comments

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