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

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26 Jan 16, Amanda (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
The best way of cooking rhubarb is to string it and then cut it into chunks, place it on a baking tray, sprinkle with sugar and bake bout 20min at 180. Lovely done with ginger as well!
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17 Jan 16, Pat (USA - Zone 5a climate)
We have had good results using horse manure on rhubarb.
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16 Jan 16, James Watson (Australia - temperate climate)
What is a good fertilizer for rhurbarb I can get lots of horse manure is it any good?
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22 Apr 16, Tempest (Australia - temperate climate)
I got taught to use well rotted chook manure. Not sure about others - as long as it's high in nitrogen, I reckon you'll be fine!
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11 Feb 16, Val Burns (Australia - temperate climate)
I use horse manure and its fine some people poo poo it but we have plenty so that's what we use, not fresh aged is best.
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18 Jan 16, Stuart Carlin (Australia - temperate climate)
Used to grow around hen run in NZ but when in Victoria all Rhubarb got eaten by earwigs then in SW WA got eaten by slaters.
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09 Jan 16, Jan Eigenhuis (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Bought a few small rhubarb plants from Montana Nelspruit nursery a couple of months ago. Plants are struggling to survive in our high compost vegetable box. Too much sun? Temperatures too high? HELP!
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes. Rhubarb is a cold climate loving plant. Everybody in my village lost theirs during this drought. Mine are thriving as I've planted in the cold shady corner of of our garage. :-)
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10 Jan 16, Gaby (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Rhubarb loves water and manure. In summer it can go a bit dormant if it is under watered. Try using some seaweed based liquid feed once a week until the plant settles in.
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28 Dec 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
My sister in Whangarei New Zealand has great Rhubarb in her garden. She uses a split peice of pvc pipe around the stalks to make them grow longer. About 30 cms or more long.
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Showing 421 - 430 of 639 comments
See comments for all plants

It's okay to plant rhubarb now. Rhubarb often dies back in the winter in cooler areas. It doesn't like a hot position so plant it so that it gets shelter from the afternoon heat if necessary. Rhubarb is a 'gross' feeder which means it likes lots of manure and water to give the best results. A couple of handfuls of Blood & Bone, a shovel full of old manure or a handful of pelletised manure placed in the bottom of the planting hole and covered with a layer of soil before planting will give good results. Most rhubarb that is sold is grown from seed and the resulting stem colour can range from all green to a good red. The flavour will still be the same. To redden it up when cooking add a few drops of cochineal (a natural red colouring) while it is cooking. To avoid adding sugar try using Stevia which is available at many shops. Stevia is a non calorie extract from the Stevia plant and is much better for you. All the best.

- John

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