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

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28 Nov 22, Lindsay (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Carol, have you grown it in 9b? Everything I’m finding says it’s not going to work.
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07 Dec 22, Paula (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Lindsay, my parents grew it in either 9b or 10a under the shade of a citrus tree. It never got as spectacular as those grown in cooler climates but they did get some fresh stalks for about 5 years.
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20 Nov 17, barb (Australia - temperate climate)
My Sister always put a red jelly into rhubarb (once it was cooked) this provides sugar and colour but not used to set it.
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20 Nov 17, barb (Australia - temperate climate)
when is the picking season in south aust?
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23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Did you read the notes here about Rhubarb?. Plants Sept Oct and harvest in a years time.
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24 Oct 17, Adriana Cooper (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Like Karen my stems are green can you still eat them, when do the go red? My plants are very healthy and have very good stems.
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23 Oct 17, Karen (Australia - temperate climate)
My rhubarb has mostly green stalks. I have had it about 3 yrs and it is probably older. Why? Is it a different variety?
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24 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could have a variety like Victoria or Green Victoria, Check "New Life Seeds" - "Boondie Seeds" - " Seed Collection Company" on the net - will show you the different varieties. "Rhubarb Crimson" seems to be more redder.
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15 Oct 17, Lexi (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Glasshouse, Qld. I have one rhubard planted in a tyre. It was quite small when I bought it about three months ago. It is now absolutely flourishing with stalks over a foot long. My question is this... If I can't eat the stalks for the first year what do I do, prune and discard or just leave it alone?
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15 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Maybe pick some - say half. My mother grew it when I was young. Last year I picked asparagus for 6 weeks and I feel I could have picked it for 3 mths.
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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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