How To Grow Rhubarb

Growing Rhubarb: A Perennial Powerhouse

If you've ever tasted the tart, earthy zing of fresh rhubarb, you’ll understand its cult following. While it’s famously baked into pies, rhubarb is just as fulfilling to grow as it is to eat. The good news? This hardy perennial practically thrives on neglect—once you know its preferences, that is.

Choosing the Right Spot

Rhubarb is a plant with opinions about where it wants to grow. It craves sunlight like a cat on a windowsill. Aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. That said, a little afternoon shade can keep it happier in hotter climates.

Soil matters, too. Rhubarb demands a deep, well-draining foundation. Think loose, rich, and slightly acidic—somewhere between 6.0 and 6.8 on the pH scale. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with plenty of compost or aged manure. I once planted rhubarb in dense, compacted dirt, and it sulked for a year before giving up entirely. Lesson learned.

Planting Your Rhubarb

When to Plant

Early spring is your best bet, as soon as the soil is workable. In mild climates, fall planting can also work, giving the crowns time to settle before winter.

How to Plant

Start with dormant crowns or divisions from an established plant. If you're lucky, a gardening neighbor might even gift you a chunk. Plant the crowns with the buds facing up, about 2 inches below the soil surface.

Spacing is critical. Rhubarb grows sprawling, almost unruly, leaves that need room to breathe. Space plants at least 3 feet apart. Trust me, shoehorning them closer may look neat at first, but overcrowding invites disease and reduces yield.

Watering and Feeding

Consistency is the name of the game here. Rhubarb loves moisture, but soggy roots spell disaster. Aim to water deeply once a week, more during hot, dry spells.

As for feeding, rhubarb is a heavy feeder that thrives with a yearly dose of aged manure or compost. I scatter a generous layer around the plants every spring, just as the first stalks poke through. During the growing season, a balanced fertilizer—10-10-10, for example—keeps production steady.

Harvesting: Patience Pays Off

The first year, don’t touch it. Let the plant establish itself, a rule that tests even the most disciplined gardener. In the second year, harvest sparingly. By year three, you can cut to your heart’s content. Or nearly.

“Only harvest about a third of the stalks at a time. Overharvesting can weaken the plant, and a tired rhubarb won’t forgive you quickly.”

When harvesting, grasp the stalk near the base and pull gently. Don’t cut it—tearing promotes stronger new growth. And remember: the leaves are toxic, so toss those straight into your compost pile.

Common Challenges

Rhubarb is tough, but it isn’t bulletproof. Watch for crown rot, which thrives in waterlogged soil. Keeping that drainage in check is essential. I’ve lost more crowns to rot than I care to admit, and each one stung.

Pests are rare, but rhubarb curculios (a type of beetle) can occasionally chew through stalks. If you see them, remove them by hand and keep the area clean of debris.

Dividing and Maintaining Rhubarb

Every 5-7 years, your rhubarb will start to show its age, with thinner stalks and less vigor. That’s when it’s time to dig it up and divide. This sounds brutal, but rhubarb thrives on occasional tough love.

In early spring, use a sharp spade to slice through the crown into fist-sized sections. Make sure each piece has at least one healthy bud. Replant and let the cycle begin anew.

Why Grow Rhubarb?

Beyond the taste and satisfaction, rhubarb is a symbol of patience and payoff. It asks for little, gives generously, and will come back year after year with just a touch of care. Few plants balance resilience and productivity so beautifully.

Ultimately, growing rhubarb feels like a compact agreement between gardener and nature: provide a good home, and it will fill your garden—and your kitchen—with joy for decades.

Rhubarb is an excellent perennial crop to grow in your garden or allotment. It is very hardy and easy to care for, can tolerate cold climates, and is a reliable and productive crop. Rhubarb has numerous culinary uses, both for sweet and savoury dishes, and is packed full of nutrients and vitamins that can benefit your health. It's an intriguing and delicious addition to your garden and sure to impress family and friends.