Rhubarb is a perennial crop , which means it come back year after yr without replant . It thrives in temperate climate ; it needs wintertime temperature below 40 degrees F and summertime temperatures average out 75 degrees or lower . The leafstalk of rhubarb plant are edible , but the leaves hold oxalic acid and can be poisonous .
Rhubarb Varieties
Sometimes the full choice for your garden is a piece of the rhubarb plant that is growing successfully in your neighbor ’s garden . Rhubarb can be crimson , light-green , or bespeckle . Some are mellifluous than others . Popular varieties admit Canada Red , Cherry Red , Valentine , and Victoria .
Rhubarb Planting and Care
Rhubarb is a very forgiving plant ; it will grow and produce is less - than - idealistic condition . For effective results choose a sunny location with well - drained fertile soil high in constituent matter .
Rhubarb is engraft as cap or divisions . Most people who grow rhubarb are glad to give away piece of their plants , but you could also buy pieplant plants from glasshouse and garden centre . Rhubarb is well plant abeyant , either in springiness or drop .
Because they are perennial , rhubarb should be planted in a blank space where they can remain , like at the edge of the garden or in a disjoined bottom . transfer weeds from the surface area where you desire to implant your rhubarb plant . Prepare one square yard of blank space for each plant life by loosening the land to about one foot down and adding four in of compost or well - rotten manure .
Cover the crown of the pieplant works with just one or two inch of ground , then tamp the stain down around the ascendent and water well .
Mulch around the flora after they begin get , and water well during juiceless weather — an periodic cryptic watering is better than frequent shallow watering . An yearly program of constitutional plant food high in phosphorus and potassium will help the plants grow smartly from year to class .
Rhubarb Pests and Diseases
Rhubarb is a comparatively pest - costless crop in the home garden . Good growing conditions and sanitisation are the key to keeping rhubarb healthy .
Rhubarb Harvesting
To give your plant time to get established , do n’t harvest any stems the first year and just a few the 2nd twelvemonth . After that you could harvest up to one - third of the petiole when they are firm and crisp – between eight and fifteen inches long . you’re able to squirm the stalk off at the fundament or cut them with a knife . When the plant life starts producing thin stalk it ’s time to stop harvesting for the season .
Want to learn more about growing and preparing rhubarb?
See these resources : The Joy of Rhubarb : The Versatile Summer Delightby Theresa Millang ( Amazon affiliate link)TheOhio conjunctive extension service has tipsfor the home pieplant agriculturist . The Rhubarb Compendium hasa mess of rhubarb recipe .
Please note that link to Amazon from Gardening Channel are affiliate links .
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