A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Grow Rhubarb

Rhubarb needs fertile ground, so it is better to prepare the ground by adding lots of compost or well-rotted manure before planting it. Use a garden fork to mix the compost into the soil, ensuring it is light and well-drained.

Planting a Rhubarb Crown

The right way to start growing rhubarb is by planting crowns or root divisions, though seeds can also be used. Crowns are best planted in early spring or during the autumn when the soil is neither too cold nor too warm.

• Dig a Hole: Bury a pit approximately 1 foot deep and wide. 
• Space the Plants: Rhubarb requires space for plant growth. Space crowns 3-4 feet apart to fit on the bigger size.
• Place the Crown: Place the rhubarb crown with the buds directed upwards with enough soil to conceal it.
• Water: It is advisable to water the plants regularly after planting to give the crown a good ground to rest.

Planting Rhubarb from Seed

It is easier to grow this plant from crowns, but rhubarbs can also be grown from seeds. However, this method is more time-consuming, and it is likely to take up to two years before you start reaping.

• Sow the Seeds: Sow seeds inside in early spring. Bury them 1 inch deep in small pots of compost.
• Transplant the Seedlings: When the seedlings are big enough, transfer them to the garden, where you would leave 3-4 feet between each plant.

In order to yield better results, it is preferable that you wait for your rhubarb plant to grow before you begin harvesting. For crowns, you’ve to wait until the second year of the cap stage of development. If a plant has been grown from seed, then the time to start taking samples is at the third year of growth.

• Harvest Time: You should ideally harvest when the stalks are 12-18 inches tall, which is usually during the spring or early summer. To allow the plant to grow properly, do not harvest it in its first year of growth.
• Harvesting Technique: Take a stalk from below the joint, then pull it while rotating. Never trim the plant's stalk since it might make the plant prone to diseases.
• Leave Some Stalks: Always leave a few stalks on the plant to ensure it continues to grow and store energy for the next season.

• Winter Care

Rhubarb does well if grown in cold areas, but to protect the crown, cover it with plenty of mulch during winter.

• Pest and Disease Prevention

This crop is usually free from pests, but sometimes stalks may be attacked by slugs or snails. You can always observe signs of pests in your plant and try using natural remedies such as placing crushed eggshells around the base of your plant.