I was at my local farm and garden store yesterday and spotted RHUBARB CROWNS!! You know what this means right? It’s almost time to get busy gardening people! Wahooooo.
If you have never grown rhubarb before, it’s super easy. In fact it’s so easy it’s one of my favorite things to grow. And it looks cool too, which is like a little added bonus if you ask me.
Here are some helpful tips on how to grow rhubarb:
Brief description: Rhubarb is a cool season, perennial crop and typically grows between May – September. Once planted, rhubarb plants may remain productive for up to 10 -15 years.
Where to Plant : Plant rhubarb in well drained soil that has been enriched with high organic matter {I use chicken fertilizer}. You should give each plant at least 1 yard of space {in all directions} to grow.
Planting Rhubarb Crowns: Cover the crowns with 2 inches of soil. If you plant rhubarb crowns too deep, it could delay production. Press the soil firmly around the roots and give it a drink.
How to Harvest: Rhubarb stalks should not be harvested the first year. For best results, only harvest a few stalks the second year and by the third year you can harvest as much as you need.
To harvest rhubarb, cut the stalk at the soil line. You can cut all stalks at one time, or harvest them as you need them. Once the rhubarb plant starts producing slender stalks, that is your cue that nutrient reserves for the plant are low and you need to stop harvesting.
My Favorite Rhubarb Recipes:
icebear says
i prefer to blanch my rhubarb, it comes out sweeter and more tender. If you have a spare, tall, black garbage bin, just cover your plant with it shortly after it begins to sprout in the spring.
here’s what one of my favorite garden bloggers has to say about it:
http://malsallotment.blogspot.com/2011/04/rhubarb-rhubarb-forced-conversation.html
Kristy says
I was always told that when you harvest the stalks you need to actually pull them out not cut them because the part of the stalk left will rot or mold.
Lisa N says
That’s right, you yank them out! My grandmother had huge plants and she would send us home with stalks after every visit.
Let’s remember that the leaves are poisonous!
My family never adds strawberries to our rhubarb pies! It ruins the rhubarb taste!
That’s a pretty pie, I like the crimped edges.
Kkaido says
Just don’t get too crazy on the poisonous leaves part that scares people aware from this delightful plant. It takes pounds of leaf consumption for the oxalate level to reach a concern level. Not sure I could eat 3 pounds of anything!
Sarah says
You can grow rhubarb from seed too.
Nunes says
Yes,you can grown them from seeds.
Erin M says
I cannot wait to try your cinnamon rhubarb!!
Pauline Petros says
Never cut Rhubarb stalks – always Pull the stalks taking care not to break them off as the remainder may rot the crown
Debbie says
Does it like full, partial or light sun? I have to replant one this year and am just trying to figure out the best spot for it.
irma says
can you grow it in a pot or large container?
gardenpat says
My problem is that 3 separate years, I have purchased rhubarb starts (crowns?) from a reputable nursery and each year they have gone to flower- not just in the first year, but in subsequent 2nd and 3rd years! Am I missing something?
Toni says
It’s ok if it goes to seed (flower). It just gets tougher after that for the season…if you are cooking it, then the toughness does not matter. You can pull the seed stalk to prevent some of the toughness. Also you don’t need to buy rhubarb from the nursery, if you know someone with an established plant they can just dig part of their root. My family just chops it in half with the shovel and transplant it. Always pull the stalk to harvest, it promotes more growth.
David says
My stocks are not turning red. Are they still ok to eat?
kathleen says
Some varieties of rhubarb have green stalks. They are OK to eat and taste the same.
Jackie says
Can I plant my bulb in a large container instead of in the ground?
Donna says
Can I plant in a large pot and bring it inside for the winter? I’m in Texas.
Julia says
You pull the stalks to promote new growth!
Mel says
What kind of fertilizer do I use for the rhubarb?
Lois Luckovich says
I’ve always pulled rhubarb, not cut it. It does particularly well if planted in a pile of manure and not harvested the first year. If your rhubarb sends up a seed stem, cut it of as low as possible so the plant will continue to grow stalks