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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23 Jan 23, Graeme Horn (Australia - temperate climate)
What is eating my Rhubarb Leaves, nearly nothing left of leaf.
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12 Feb 23, Nat (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Possums? Put some netting over it!
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25 Oct 22, Niki Farr (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What is the best way to harvest rhubarb stalks-cut using a knife or twist and tear? Thanks
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11 Nov 22, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I sort of do a bend (push the stalk to the side - and I generally hear a snap) -- then I twist and pull. This gets the whole stalk out -- and sometimes some "white" (which is not edible and needs to be cut off). When I use a knife, I don't get the entire stalk out, which leaves a nub sticking out of the ground. So for me, it is the bend, twist and pull that works best.
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09 Oct 22, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It says to remove the flowerstalk but no mention why there is a flowerstalk.. I was suprised today to find a stalk at least a meter high?? WHY....???
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17 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rhubarb produces a flowerstalk and flowers so that it can produce seed. all plants need to propagate. Rhubarb can be grown from seed, but first the seed has to be produced!
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10 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best you google about it. Flowering is part of the life cycle of plants.
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10 Aug 22, Anita ward (Australia - temperate climate)
Why does my rhubarb taste earthy. The plant is just one yr old.
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02 Jul 22, Faye Ramsden (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where do you buy the rhizomes from in Western Australia Perth area? I have tried before to grow but with no success so going to try containers. Thank you. Faye
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05 Aug 22, Judy Josling (Australia - temperate climate)
Try the Diggers Club. They sell rhubarb and u can order online. They post plants anywhere.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 473 comments
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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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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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