Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P    

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in Australia - temperate 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 5°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 cm 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 Aug 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It says spacing of 90cm between plants - so a pot 60-90cm across would be good.
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18 Aug 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A year!? Pick them in a year's time? I'll be starving...:(
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06 Aug 18, David Newstead (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What times of year is rhubarb picking session around Brisbane
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18 Aug 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sorry, no idea. I'm from way down South originally and can't remember a time when we did not have rhubarb growing. I've planted a few rhubarb seeds and planted them out where I live in the sub-tropics and they are starting to spread their wings. I am hoping that although they have a long way to grow, they will end up on my table! Looks like it might be a while. Just keep your eye on any rhubarb you've planted, if you have. What I now get in shops is nothing like the rhubarb I grew up with. I am accustomed to lovely thick stalks, and the shop ones are quite skinny as if .. ? Well, I don't know, unless they are grown in shadehouses and can't reach for the sun, or other. No idea. Google around - harvesting and/or picking rhubarb (au) etc.
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06 Aug 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When they have fully grown. Look at some photos (on the net) of rhubarb plants/stalks and judge from that.
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26 Jul 18, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
I have just bought some rhubarb crowns and was wondering which would be the best spot to plant them- 1. In my vegie plot which gets sun all year round? 2. In another bed which gets no sun in Winter and full sun in Summer? I am in Hobart. Many thanks, Sue
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30 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
It says - shady areas in warm climates. It would probably grow in the shade but not as good as in the sun. Depends how big your garden is and how much area you want the rhubarb to have.
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18 Aug 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is rhubarb a Winter crop? Thanx
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04 Jul 18, Wendy Hillard (Australia - temperate climate)
I've read to plant rhubarb in full sun. My plant wilts and lays on the ground as though its dying.. is this normal?
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05 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
It says to plant some of the root - rhizome in Sept Oct for temperate climate. Sounds like you planted some of the plant. As I said the other day, there is a good reason why to plant at the best/correct time. Also read the info here about growing it. If plants are small or a bit fragile put some shade over them for a week or so to let them become established before full sun.
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I have just planted out two rhubarb plants in new veggie garden.......pretty good soil with small amount of clay. In about four weeks they have developed quickly into sturdy plants, good thick stems and huge leaves. As we are going into winter (Gippsland, Victoria) I want to cut all the stalks back to within a few cms of the roots thus allowing for new stems, hopefully ready to cook, in about three months. Good idea or not?

- Henry Howard

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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