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

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
05 Aug 12, joan (Australia - tropical climate)
Do I have tocover the crowns of my rhubarb plant ? if so soil or straw
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.
06 Sep 12, Belinda Cincotta (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can i buy a rhubarb forcing pot in the sydney area?
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.
29 Oct 12, Cheryl (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Is it normal for rhubarb roots to grow on the surface. I have two roots from a 2 year old plant growing along the top of the ground. Could it be looking for more water. Thank you
26 Mar 21, Ulla (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What can be eating my rhubarb leaves? I can't see anything, but the chunks eaten look like it could be a large worm. Can I spray pesticide safely on to the leaves, ie, will the stalks still be safe to eat"? Thanks.
01 Dec 12, Bill Hitchings (Australia - temperate climate)
Heaps of horse manure has given me huge plants with expansive leaves and thick stems. But stems are green rather than red. Can they be picked and used or should I wait until they turn red? Thanks
05 Dec 12, Trish (Australia - temperate climate)
When should I harvest the crop? The stalks have remained green , are they safe to eat?
15 Dec 12, maureen colledge (Australia - temperate climate)
something is eating the leaves so only the veins remain i have put down snailbait signs of a few of them but nothing to compare with the amount of damage done to a large area of plants
Showing 41 - 50 of 627 comments

All the leaves have died off the rhubarb just leaving a dark crown above the surface. Is this dormant or dead? They are in a pot. Will they reshoot this Autumn/ Winter or not .Thanks

- Kathy Knudsen

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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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