A short series offering guidance on rhubarb, tips to grow it, and methods to grow it outside of its preferred range.
Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable in the buckwheat family. Modern culinary rhubarb is a hybrid of Rheum species native to Asia and Eastern Europe, with the first widely cultivated modern varieties appearing in England and Scandinavia.
Though rhubarb thrives in temperate climates, it is adaptable, non-invasive (except for Giant Rhubarb, which should be avoided outside its native range), and hardy, making it a reliable staple for gardeners everywhere. In this series, we’ll discuss how to grow rhubarb, how to adapt it for less favorable conditions, and general tips for getting a bumper crop every year.
Growing Rhubarb Part 3: Rhubarb Care, Forcing, Dividing, and Harvesting
Once rhubarb is established, it requires surprisingly little maintenance, though a few simple techniques can greatly improve both yield and flavor. In part 3 of this series, we’ll cover how to care for rhubarb, including how to divide it, how to harvest it, and a couple of other tips.
Overwintering Rhubarb In temperate climates, rhubarb generally survives the winter on its own. In fact, the plant needs around 500 hours (around 7 weeks) at 40°F (4 °C) or below to trigger healthy new growth in spring....
Growing Rhubarb Part 2: Adaptations for Different Climates
Although rhubarb prefers temperate environments, it can be grown outside its ideal temperature range with some care. With additional winter prep in colder climates and careful planning for summer in hot regions, rhubarb can thrive almost anywhere.
More so than in temperate climates, it’s vital to watch the weather. Extreme heat spells or cold snaps require forethought to protect your plants, and site selection is even more important. These tips cover key points for hot and cold climates, and how you can grow rhubarb successfully....
Growing Rhubarb Part 1: Popular Rhubarb Varieties and Planting Guide
Rhubarb is a hardy perennial. It’s easy to plant, care for, and harvest. With so many varieties out there, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one, and then choose a good place to plant it.
In the first part of this series, we’ll discuss popular varieties and go over how best to plant rhubarb.
Popular Varieties There are dozens of rhubarb cultivars, each created for different reasons. Some grow more quickly, others are sweeter, and some are suited to more challenging environments....
