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

24 Dec 19, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Go to the blue tab above
30 Dec 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Work out your climate zone then go to Rhubarb and set your climate, then check when to plant.
14 Dec 19, Brian Cossill (New Zealand - temperate climate)
ruhbarb doesn't need any thing done to your plant in NZ other than water fortnightly cheers Brian
09 Dec 19, Brian Cossill (New Zealand - temperate climate)
is there any sense in using a rhubarb forcer to increase the length of the stalks during the growing season in NZ cheers Brian
12 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about what a forcer does on the net.
10 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I suggest you google rhubarb forcer and read what it does.
03 Dec 19, Spike Petersen (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been wondering if a raised garden bed would be ok to grow rhubarb as a horticulturist this is one plant that has been a difficult one to grow as well as strawberries nothing much else is a problem. Its been said that I can get a broom handles to grow yet rhubarb eludes me. Thanks in advance
14 Dec 19, Craig chapman (Australia - temperate climate)
Gday spike yes this is my first year growing rhubarb in raised garden beds, my harvest is unbelievable,our temperature where I am gets very hot 46 is not uncommon, however this year I covered my entire veg I patch with fruit fly netting (we get the here) the netting is only 2-3% shade so on the roof I staggered 70% shade cloth that is 1.8 wide the missed 1.8 and so on so every thing gets sun but not all the time, my beds consisted Of we’ll rotten cow manure with a sandy top about 4-5 inches then sugar cane mulch to keep moisture in, hope this helps..
04 Dec 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
I have never grown it although my mother grew it in the 1960's. I think it grew a bit wild. Read all the notes here about climate to grow in, soil type, good draining soil, not heavy wet soil. Research on the net
17 Nov 19, Roy van Deemter (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My rhubarb is about ten years old. The plant has never been higher than 10 cm's with one or two leaves the size of a normal hand. Every year I leave it thinking next year it will grow better. Unfortunately it does not happen. What can be my problem?
Showing 161 - 170 of 635 comments

Is it normal for rhubarb roots to grow on the surface. I have two roots from a 2 year old plant growing along the top of the ground. Could it be looking for more water. Thank you

- Cheryl

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