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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12 Aug 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
They like morning sun, but will grow ok in light shade. The best place is with morning sun and afternoon shade.
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26 Jul 14, norma (Australia - temperate climate)
what fertilizer do you recommend to keep the rhubarb red. I bought a plant that was red but it turned green
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17 Jun 14, Ruth (Australia - temperate climate)
The stems on our plants are very short and the leaves are huge, How can we correct this.
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15 Jun 14, david (Australia - temperate climate)
can you grow rhubarb in a garbage tin size pot?
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09 Jun 14, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
I was given a couple of plants and am on sandy soil (like beach sand). I have had a great crop by using dynamic lifter in the hole and spread around the plant. BTW, I like the thicker stalks for flavour and textrure.
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19 May 14, Kylie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can rhubarb be grown in sandy soils, in beachside suburbs?.
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21 Apr 14, ian (Australia - temperate climate)
What happens to the plant if you only harvest the real big stalks on the bush in the first year?I have a bush that has very healthy and large stems in the centre of the bush.
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04 May 14, Stewart (Australia - temperate climate)
That should be fine Ian. The main idea is to keep enough foliage on the plant so as to keep up good continuous growth. Taking the odd big stem now and then should not effect this.
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12 May 14, Ian (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you for reply and help.
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14 Apr 14, john (Australia - arid climate)
I put a rhubarb plant in this summer in a pot the leaves start to wither and the plant is still green should it be planted in the grown
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Showing 361 - 370 of 472 comments
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If you can plant them either in big pots or in dappled sun/part shade it may be helpful but I don't think shade cloth would help as much as drip irrigation may. Best of luck!

- Mindi

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