How to Plant Rhubarb

By Sadie Hurst

Growing rhubarbs

Cultivating rhubarb is an easy and tax less activity. Planting it adds to your garden's variety and looks. Only a few basic steps have to be followed to grow this plant.

Location and season

The place where you wish to plant the rhubarb should be in direct exposure of lots of sunlight. The perfect time to plant them is in the early spring. However, in milder climates they can be cultivated in the fall as well. The soil chosen should not be of heavy clay and the ideal pH is 6-6.8. the soil should be well irrigated and drained.

Preparation and planting

The plants are easily available in the nurseries. However they will be sold in crowns or divisions only. The rhubarbs are composed of a group of roots and each of them holds a bud. They should be purchased according to the requirement and stored in a cool place until taken for planting.

Before you begin the planting of rhubarbs, remember to not use the area for growing any other vegetables. The soil bed should be made permanent so that successive tilling of the soil is not required. A big hole should be dug and filled with manure/ organic matter. Create a trench about 2 feet across and 2 feet deep. It should be filled partially with decayed manure and alternatively mixed with compost and soil.

Every plant requires a space of at least 3 feet. The soil should be shaped like a mound. The rhubarb crown should be planted in the soil and the roots should be arranged all around it and over the mound. The buds should be covered up completely with the remaining soil so that they are at least 2 inches deep. Toughen up the soil.

Caring for the plants

Every rhubarb plant requires at least an inch of water per week. The mulch should contain the compost or grass clippings. The seed stalks should be removed when they become visible above the ground. If this is not done, the stalks will not erupt.

During the fall season the top layer of the plant firmly embedded in the soil should be covered with manure when the plants have dried up which should be repeated in the spring season. This procedure should be done repeatedly and regularly.

Harvesting

The rhubarbs should be harvested only during the first year of growth. The flower stalks should be removed as regularly as possible and the leaf stalks can be obtained during the second year. Care should be taken to remove only the stalks as long as your fingers and the rest should be left behind. You can collect all of them in the third year.

Infection and disease

Mulch is the perfect protection against the weeds. It also protects against the rhubarb curculio and potato stem borer. Certain medications and insecticides can be used to prevent from spread of infection.

General considerations

If a container is used for growing the plants it should measure about 24 inches deep and 24 inches wide. The drainage should be good and a mixture of half and half compost and soil should be used to plant the rhubarbs. Regular watering and fertilizer usage for every 2 weeks is important.

Never eat the roots and the leaves of rhubarb and only the leaf stalks are edible.

Growing rhubarbs is a fun filled task and anybody can do it easily. With lots of hard work and management, one can easily get a good growth of the plants.

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About The Author
Sadie Hurst is an expert in the field of Home Improvement. She has written various articles on that How To Grow Rhubarb. You can find more information on planting a vegetable garden here: How To Plant Rhubarb.