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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16 Nov 15, Cas Allan (Australia - temperate climate)
Gordon Staples, I asked the same question about some of my rhubarb not turning red. Tonight I cooked some of the green stems and they taste the same as the red ones. Yes, you can eat the green ones.
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07 Nov 15, Michelle carbine (Australia - temperate climate)
When you buy a rhubarb crown does the entire thing have to be under the soil and how long after planting before signs of growth should be noticed?
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01 Nov 15, Geoff Gabbott (Australia - temperate climate)
Q- Bug Problem I have found bugs having a feast on my plants Have an oval body , legs, antenna- etc size- approx 10/20 mm long - colour mainly black with yellow patches on back - one was 20mm + - can climb metal fences- even after hose down of metal fence they climb again . some have various colours - say "dull grey" but most have distinctive yellow backs Can you identify ? - also pest control advice will be appreciated - I live in Canberra Thanks Geoff
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18 Nov 15, Ruth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Geoff, I had that problem last year, might be Rutherglen bugs? https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop/diagnosing-rutherglen-bug hope this helps, happy gardening
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14 Oct 15, John Madden (Australia - temperate climate)
What do you do when plants produce a seed head?
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10 Sep 15, Terry Fitzgerald (Australia - temperate climate)
Will rubarb grow at coffs harbour and how well
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30 Sep 15, jan furniss (Australia - temperate climate)
rubarb should grow in coffs harbour,they like semy shade
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19 Sep 15, Joanna (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It grows very well in Bellingen area - someone gave me a few old crowns and I have never looked back
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06 Sep 15, gordon staples (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
rhubarb plant is approx 3months old , huge stems half a metre high large leaves but still green,how long before it colors?
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07 Dec 15, Bruce Dobbie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rhubarb grows well here in Northern Rivers of NSW. The leaves do not colour and they should be ignored anyway. It is the leaf stalk which you are after.
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Showing 441 - 450 of 635 comments
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I had the same problem with my rhubarb. It never thrived. For 3 years, it was in a spot that received western sun and full shade in winter. The soil wad always dry, and I had to keep the water up. I moved it into a north east facing raised bed full of rich soil and mulched thickly. Did this about 6 weeks ago, and it has already doubled in size. The leaves are bigger, greener and lush. The stalks are also thick and crisp! We're coming into winter now, so your rhubarb might take a little longer to recover. Give it a good drink of seaweed at transplant. I also soak my mulch in seaweed solution before mulching. As for the holes in the leaves, that will probably be from a grub. Inspect your plant and its root ball before transplanting, so you don't bring the little muncher over too! Sometimes grubs hide in the ground. Good luck!

- Claudia

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