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

15 Feb 15, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
When the stalks of the plant is big enough, pull it and remove the leaves.
25 Jan 15, Gordo (Australia - temperate climate)
When I was a young child in Scotland my 'job' was to empty the teapot on the rhubarb patch. I don't think it ever got any fertilizer as that was another of my occasional 'jobs' on other parts of the garden. The plants were cut back before the snow and covered with buckets until spring. We had mountains of the rhubarb for most of the year as well as jam in the cold part.
31 Dec 14, Peggy (Australia - temperate climate)
Last year I bought a nasty looking plant, $2.00 what the heck. Planted it in a sunny spot mostly out of the wind, The soil is top soil scrapped off a building site in the back yard. 3/4 bag of 'Wooley Beasts sheep poo' from shearing sheds dug through and rain water. It got 2 metres across and 60 cm high. Mad thing - I had to shift the lettuce and the spring onions. I just let it have its way. This year - yum!. Nanna always said cow manure was the feed for rhubarb. Sheep poo yeeehaaa.
28 Dec 14, Andrew Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
We have several rhubarb plants growing large stems that are not turning red. Is this normal as the plants have only been in for several months, (since June)? We live in the hills east of Perth WA.
03 Jan 15, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Andrew, Some varieties of rhubarb go redder than others - some stay quite green. However, we've found more mature and cooler weather tends to redden those prone to be being red. So best wait and see, giving them a seasonal top up with good compost to keep them well fed.
18 Dec 14, Ann (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 'Sydney red' variety rhubarb, 18mths old, lots of good compost, sugarcane mulch etc, full sun. My rhubarb was red last season but this season only about 15cm is red, lots of huge green leaves! What am I doing wrong?
18 Dec 14, Gerald Earles (Australia - temperate climate)
nI have 2 rhubarb plants which grew well for several months but lately the older leaves are wilting turning brown/yellow and falling off as they rot. have 50% white shade cloth covering them. any ideas to get them healthy ?
21 Nov 14, christine (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
why is my rhubarb still green, not red what does it need?
16 Nov 14, Helena Brand (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Please tell me how must one cook rhubarb. My mother in law cooked this many time, but I never asked to do this. Plain simple recipy.
24 Nov 14, Helena Brand (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I steamed the rhubarb and it came out lovely with custard. Very chuffed with myself
Showing 481 - 490 of 635 comments

That sounds yummy, must try it..

- Lorraine Phillips

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