Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in Australia - tropical regions

  • 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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25 Oct 14, Nobby (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in Toowoomba and I have 3 plants also very young. They get quite a lot of sun and it has been warm here recently,they are growing but very slowly and they did drop back a bit after planting them into a raised bed.I do water them 2-3 times a week ATM and they are doing OK. Not much help I know but just thought I would share.
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14 Oct 14, Rachael (Australia - temperate climate)
I put in new rhubarb plants in autumn this year and they are growing really well. When should i harvest them and can we eat them this year? TIA
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07 Nov 14, Ros (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I have a number of plants, from very young to quite established, and harvest stalks from the outside of the growing area any time they are big enough. Just pull away from the centre, leaving the central part where new leaves/stalks will form. If the plant is young, the stalks will be thin and won't get thicker if you leave them on the plant, where they will just soften and wilt. Hope this helps. Happy harvesting!
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12 Oct 14, Geoffrey Wigg (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I keep my rhubarb stalks red?
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11 Oct 14, nina (Australia - temperate climate)
it is October and I already have long, thick stems on my plants. Are they ok to eat green? Also, it looks like it is starting to flower. What does this mean? Thank you
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04 Oct 14, Ray (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, I have two rhubarb plants which produce. both in 40 cm pots, well watered and fertilised.
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20 Sep 14, Senta (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I find my plant is a black stump in the long frosty season, but now September it is happy. My question please is- do I need to wire it over in the bush to protect it from the roos or other critters?
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20 Sep 14, Peter Dell (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you grow rhubarb in pots successfully
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10 Sep 14, rubie (Australia - temperate climate)
just dig in some compost and aged manure then plant the crown. It works well in this climate
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04 Sep 14, Susan Cooke (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am in Canberra. As a child I ate stewed rhubarb, rhubarb and apple pie, fruit compote with rhubarb. I would like to grow it. How do I get started? Susan
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Showing 351 - 360 of 474 comments
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Hi John, I also live in Adelaide and grow rhubarb. Mine grows very well autumn to spring but suffers in summer and goes to seed heavily. I find lots of rooster booster during the growing period and water over summer keeps it growing well, also harvest heavily over the growing months. I am about to do my first cut back and divide of root this winter as I want to reclaim the area I planted and move it to a shaded area for better growing in summer and frost protection in winter. Soil preparation will be 1 part compost 2 parts in place soil heavily dosed with rooster booster. For the first 12 months I will take time to ensure the area will be kept damp all year round until established. Hope that helps.

- Daniel

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