Planting rhubarb is a rewarding investment that yields delicious stalks for years to come. To succeed, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and give each crown plenty of space to grow. With proper planting and patience, your rhubarb patch will thrive and provide bountiful harvests season after season.
There is nothing quite like the taste of a homemade rhubarb pie. If you love this tangy plant, you might be wondering how to plant rhubarb in your own backyard. The great news is that it is incredibly easy to grow. Rhubarb is a hardy perennial. This means you plant it once, and it comes back year after year. With just a little bit of effort upfront, you can enjoy fresh rhubarb for a decade or more.
Learning how to plant rhubarb successfully is all about timing, soil, and patience. This plant is not like your annual vegetables. It needs a permanent home where it can spread out. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know. Let us get your rhubarb patch started today!
Key Takeaways
- Choose the right time: Plant rhubarb crowns in early spring or fall when the soil is workable and moist.
- Pick a sunny location: Rhubarb thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Prepare rich soil: Amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to ensure it is nutrient-rich and well-draining.
- Space them out: Give each crown about 3 to 4 feet of space to allow for massive leaf expansion.
- Plant at the right depth: Set the crown just below the soil surface so the tiny new buds are covered by about an inch of dirt.
- Water consistently: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first growing season.
- Be patient: Refrain from harvesting any stalks during the first year so the plant can establish a strong root system.
📑 Table of Contents
Understanding the Rhubarb Plant
Before you start digging, it helps to understand what rhubarb needs. Rhubarb is a cool-season plant. It thrives in areas where the ground freezes in winter. The freezing period helps the plant produce strong stalks in spring.
Rhubarb grows from a crown. The crown is the woody, bulb-like base of the plant. It has roots pointing down and buds pointing up. When you learn how to plant rhubarb, you are really learning how to handle this crown properly. The plant will grow massive leaves and thick, colorful stalks. Give it the right start, and it will reward you.
When to Plant Rhubarb
Timing is everything in the garden. You can plant rhubarb in early spring or early fall. Spring planting is most common. You want to put the crowns in the ground as soon as the soil is workable. This is usually a few weeks before the last frost.
Fall planting works well too. The plant goes dormant in winter. If you plant in early fall, the roots can settle in before the ground freezes. Just make sure you give it at least a few weeks of mild weather. Avoid planting rhubarb in the hot summer heat. The stress will shock the plant.
Choosing the Perfect Spot and Soil
Rhubarb is a long-term garden resident. Pick a spot where it can stay for years. Think about the size of the mature plant. It will get big! Keep that in mind when choosing its forever home.
Sunlight Requirements
Rhubarb loves the sun. Choose a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. Full sun produces the best stalks and the healthiest plants. If you live in a very hot climate, a little afternoon shade is okay. But in most regions, more sun is always better.
Soil Preparation
Good soil is the secret to a great harvest. Rhubarb needs well-draining soil. It hates sitting in water. Wet roots lead to rot. The soil should also be full of nutrients. Just like when you learn How To Plant Carrots, you need loose, deep dirt for the roots to expand.
Before planting, dig the area deep. Add lots of compost or well-rotted manure. Mix it in well. This gives your rhubarb a rich, fluffy bed to grow in. Aim for a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8. You can test your soil with a simple kit from the garden center.
How to Plant Rhubarb Step-by-Step
Now for the fun part. Let us put the plant in the ground. Most gardeners plant rhubarb crowns rather than seeds. Crowns are faster and produce stalks sooner. Seeds take years to mature.
Planting Crowns vs. Seeds
When you learn how to plant rhubarb, crowns are your best bet. You can buy crowns at a nursery or garden center. You can also divide them from a friend’s plant in early spring. Dividing is a great way to get free plants!
If you plant seeds, you must start them indoors weeks before the last frost. They are slow and unpredictable. Stick with crowns for the best results.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps to get it right. Planting a rhubarb crown is similar to learning How To Plant Garlic; you must get the depth just right.
- Dig the hole: Make the hole about 10 inches deep and 18 inches wide. You want plenty of room for the roots.
- Add compost: Put a shovel full of compost in the bottom of the hole.
- Place the crown: Set the crown in the hole. The small buds on top should point up.
- Cover the crown: Backfill the hole with soil. The buds should be covered by about 1 to 2 inches of soil. Do not bury them too deep.
- Space them out: If you are planting multiple crowns, space them 3 to 4 feet apart.
- Water well: Give the newly planted crown a good drink of water.
Caring for Your Newly Planted Rhubarb
Once the plant is in the ground, you must care for it properly. The first year is all about root growth. Do not worry if you do not see a lot of top growth right away.
Watering and Mulching
Rhubarb needs consistent moisture. Water the plant deeply once a week. Do not just sprinkle the top. Soak the soil. During dry spells, water more often.
Mulching is a great idea. Put a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant. Straw or shredded leaves work well. Mulch keeps the soil moist and stops weeds from growing. Just keep the mulch a few inches away from the crown itself.
Fertilizing Your Plant
Rhubarb is a heavy feeder. It loves nutrients. In early spring, give it a top dressing of compost or well-rotted manure. You can also use a balanced organic fertilizer. Feed the plant again right after you harvest the stalks in late spring or early summer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best gardeners make mistakes. Here are a few things to watch out for when learning how to plant rhubarb.
Harvesting Too Soon
The biggest mistake is harvesting in the first year. I know it is tempting. But you must leave the stalks alone. Let the plant focus on growing strong roots. In the second year, you can pick a few stalks. By the third year, you can harvest fully.
Poor Drainage
Rhubarb will not tolerate wet feet. If your soil is heavy clay, the crown will rot. Amend the soil heavily with compost. You can also plant rhubarb in a raised bed. This ensures the water drains away quickly.
Ignoring Flower Stalks
Sometimes rhubarb sends up a tall flower stalk. The flowers are pretty, but they drain energy from the plant. As soon as you see a flower stalk forming, cut it off at the base. This forces the plant to put energy into the edible stalks.
Conclusion
Learning how to plant rhubarb is simple and fun. Pick a sunny spot. Prepare rich, well-draining soil. Plant the crown at the right depth. Water it well. Most importantly, be patient during the first year.
Once established, rhubarb is a very low-maintenance plant. It will pop up early in spring, often before anything else in your garden. With just a little planning today, you will enjoy delicious rhubarb stalks for many years to come. Get out there and start planting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow rhubarb from seed?
Yes, you can grow rhubarb from seed, but it is much slower and less reliable than planting crowns. Most gardeners prefer crowns because they establish faster and produce stalks much sooner.
How much space does a rhubarb plant need?
Rhubarb plants need plenty of room to spread out. You should space your rhubarb crowns about 3 to 4 feet apart to ensure they have enough airflow and space for their massive leaves.
Does rhubarb come back every year?
Absolutely! Rhubarb is a hardy perennial. Once established, it will return year after year, often living and producing for 10 years or more with proper care.
What should I put on my rhubarb plant?
Your rhubarb will benefit from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and a generous application of compost or well-rotted manure in the spring to feed the soil.
Why are my rhubarb stalks thin?
Thin stalks usually mean the plant is overcrowded, lacks nutrients, or is being harvested too heavily. Dividing the crown every few years and adding compost can help thicken the stalks.
Is rhubarb poisonous?
The stalks are perfectly safe and delicious to eat. However, the leaves contain oxalic acid and are toxic. Always discard the leaves and only harvest the colorful stalks.