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 Oct 12, Barbara Diveney (Australia - temperate climate)
My rhubarb plant flowered, is this normal. It is only in its second growing year. What is attacking my Rhubarb plant, the leaves full of holes and just when the plant was growing well, it just wilted. What kind of pest/s is the rhubarb plant subject to and how do I treat it.
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06 Sep 12, Belinda Cincotta (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can i buy a rhubarb forcing pot in the sydney area?
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10 Aug 12, riyoco (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hello. I am live in Japan,and wonder if I can grow Rhubarb in my town. Here, we have snow in winter and it is probablly no problem, but in summer, we have kind of hot weather and lots of rain.. For example, in July: precipitation is 229.9mm and average temperature is 24.2celcius(highest 29.2celcius) in August: precipitation is 154.9mm and average temperature is 25.1celcius.(highest 34.0celcius) Is it possible to grow the deep red varirties of rhubarb? If there are any suggestion of good varieties, please let me know. Here,in Japan,I don't get much info. about Rhubarbs. thank you.
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05 Aug 12, joan (Australia - tropical climate)
Do I have tocover the crowns of my rhubarb plant ? if so soil or straw
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03 Aug 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
had never seen rhubarb in flower and wasnt sure if i should let it go or not thanks for your informative page
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30 Jul 12, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, looking for cause of Rhubarb leaves turning brown. Live on south coast NSW. Regards, Peter
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21 Jul 12, mary (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How long will it take my small rhubarb seedlings to grow big enough to be able to use the stalks.
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19 Jul 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Maree. The only thing I can think of is that the rhubarb has had too much water. It does like to be watered, but must be free draining. If it gets a bucketing down rainstorm, over a few days, like Melbourne had recently, it can just rot in the ground.
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17 Jul 12, maree (Australia - temperate climate)
The leaves on my rubbarb turn brown and the stem is soft. Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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08 Jun 12, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can roots be purchased around Brisbane
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Showing 591 - 600 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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