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 8b 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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24 Mar 23, kathy cadler (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Can I harvest rhubarb all summer in zone 3a safely? I read recently that late summer harvests are poisonous . I’ve heard and have been practicing harvesting 1/3 or less of the plant at a time. Then I wait 2 weeks before harvesting again all summer long. I have big healthy beautiful plants that are over 20 years old.
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23 Mar 23, (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I read that kangarhu rhubarb is good for zone 9B. They are heat tolerant I'm going to try one.
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09 Jun 24, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Did you actually try to grow KangaRhu? I love rhubarb but don’t want to waste my $$ if you had any advice. I’m in 9a. Thanks in any help.
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23 Mar 23, (USA - Zone 5b climate)
When can I plant rhubarb plants outside in zone five I grew them from seed inside my house?
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15 Mar 23, Peter McDougal (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Why does my Rhubarb taste earthy
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05 Mar 23, Steve Gollis (USA - Zone 12b climate)
Any varieties that will grow in Zone 12? I wouldn't mind trying one of the Zone 8 varieties, but I think I would have to harvest it the first year because it looks like it won't be happy without some cold. Any advice will be helpful, I miss my rhubarb dishes and it's like pulling teeth to get the stores to stock it! Thanks!
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06 Mar 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 12b climate)
They don't recommend planting it in your climate zone.
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19 Feb 23, Rebecca (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Advice on planting Victoria rhubarb in pots.
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20 Feb 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Read the notes here or google how to grow it.
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19 Feb 23, Tony (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
What is the best way to havest rhubarb
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Showing 31 - 40 of 633 comments
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I am growing Victoria rhubarb in three-gallon nursery pots in North Georgia. I started the plants (small roots) this spring in a sunny area during cool weather, but moved them into partial to full shade as the heat increased. The soil in the pots is a loamy sand mixed half and half with compost. I water daily, about a quart of water per plant. I top dress each pot with about a teaspoon of granular 13-13-13 fertilizer whenever I notice growth slowing down, roughly once a month.. So far, it has handled temperatures up to 95 F with no problems. My plants are huge, about 3.5 feet across with long thick stems. One thing I have noticed! is the stems are mostly green, not red, this could be due to the shade, or possibly heat. They still taste great in strawberry rhubarb pie, though I'm harvesting very little this first year, hoping for the plants being larger and stronger next year. As a precaution against disease, any leaves and stems that are starting to yellow with age I pull off of the plant and compost them.

- Catt Mandu

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