How to grow Rhubarb

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Rhubarb with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Plant dormant crowns in early spring or early autumn, after the soil is workable but before the heat of late spring arrives.

🌰 How to plant

1. Dig a hole wider and deeper than the crown, enriching the soil with compost or aged manure.
2. Place the crown so the growing buds are just 2–3 cm (1 in) below soil level.
3. Backfill, firm gently, and water well.
4. Apply a thick mulch layer around the base, leaving a small gap around the crown.

💧 Care

• Remove flower stalks as soon as they appear to direct energy into leaf and stalk growth.
• Top-dress with compost or aged manure each spring to maintain soil fertility.
• Allow the foliage to die back naturally in autumn before cutting it to the ground.
• Divide crowns every 5–7 years in early spring to maintain vigour and prevent overcrowding.

🧺 Harvest

Begin harvesting in the third year by pulling stalks firmly at the base when they are at least 30 cm (12 in) long; twist and pull rather than cutting. Harvest throughout spring and early summer, stopping by early summer to let the plant recover.

🐛 Common problems

Crown rot: Improve drainage and avoid planting too deep; ensure the crown is only slightly below soil level.

Slugs and snails: Remove debris, apply copper tape around the base, or hand-pick in early morning.

Aphids: Spray with a strong water jet or use organic insecticidal soap if populations are heavy.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Garlic, Onions, Strawberries, Kale

⚠️ Keep apart from: Dock, Sorrel

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