Growing Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum : Polygonaceae / the dock family

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

(Best months for growing Rhubarb in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 41°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
13 Oct 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could do it. It would take a lot of looking after. A suggestion, buy a 200lt drum, cut it in half, put some holes in the bottom for drainage. Plastic 200lt drum on Facebook - market place.
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01 Oct 20, martin (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy rhubarb plants?
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05 Oct 20, Nick Baxendale (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Martin There is a company in the Cape called seeds for Africa, they sell the seeds. Cheers Nick
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02 Oct 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Google where to buy rhubarb in S A.
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25 Sep 20, Nkreen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Best planting option soil sun and watering please. Desperate to get a plant growing healthy for rhubarb crumble
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27 Sep 20, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Start with good rich soil, 6-8 hrs sunlight a day, and water 3 times a week. Read the notes here first.
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09 Sep 20, Angela Smith (Australia - temperate climate)
what advice can you give someone who is about to start planting first crop of rhubarb. I live in South Australia and we have just started our spring
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12 Sep 20, Barbara Robinson (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in riverland where it can get very hot in summer in the 40 I have plant rhubarb plant in morning sun after shade. Do they need a lot of water, and fertiliser
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21 Aug 20, Gary Couper (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any tips for growing rhubarb in Brisbane?
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06 Jun 22, Peter Burgess (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How successful was your Brisbane rhubarb crop?
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Showing 121 - 130 of 635 comments
See comments for all plants

you really are better off putting them in a raised garden bed with mixed clean top soil, lots of compost, peat moss, blood meal, and a slow release fertilizer. Rhubarb get very large and can live for many years and their root systems can get quite large, keeping them in pots will restrict their growth and you will have to water more often and continually use fertilizer more often then them being in the ground.

- Laura Ellington

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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