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 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

29 Aug 23, sally (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, I have a very healthy rhubarb growing and it is gigantic. Leaves are big as elephants ears. I have thick long healthy stalks but they are green. I have slight pinkish tint at lower end of stalk but rest is green. It is about 5 months old and has grown amazingly, but I have pulled 1 stalk and cooked it, it had no taste whatsoever.
06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like you over fertilised and water it.
10 Jul 23, Barbara (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Sorrento- WA , soil is very sandy .I built up with good potting mix & it's in a semi ,parts of the year spot.I have used good fertiliser but I can't seem to get it to grow wider than my little finger , I keep chopping it back as well ,thinking it will get thicker . It was cut from a friend's crop. Need your help .
13 Jul 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try adding manures and compost. Potting mix doesn't have a lot of nutrients in it.
14 Jul 23, Brett (Australia - temperate climate)
I agree !
01 May 23, Julia (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted rhubarb around 7 months ago, the leaves have grow huge and some are mottled and unhealthy. I know I am not supposed to harvest for the first year...so how do I treat the plant? Do I just leave it be, or do I need to trim it or remove leaves? Does the same stalk stay until harvest time? Please advise care of plant in first year of growing until harvesting time. Thank you so much! Warmest regards
08 May 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If unhealthy pull them off. Look up a natural spray for leafy veggies.
12 Apr 23, Judy James (Australia - temperate climate)
My rhubarb has got new growth at the moment in April but I would like to transplant it. When is the best month please? Thanks. Judy
19 Apr 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
August Sept
23 Jan 23, Graeme Horn (Australia - temperate climate)
What is eating my Rhubarb Leaves, nearly nothing left of leaf.
Showing 11 - 20 of 472 comments

Hello, I have a very healthy rhubarb growing and it is gigantic. Leaves are big as elephants ears. I have thick long healthy stalks but they are green. I have slight pinkish tint at lower end of stalk but rest is green. It is about 5 months old and has grown amazingly, but I have pulled 1 stalk and cooked it, it had no taste whatsoever.

- sally

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