Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable, though it is generally used as a fruit in desserts and jams. Here’s how to plant, grow, and harvest your own rhubarb.
Of the rhubarb plant, only the stalks are eaten. These have a rich, tart flavor. The leaves of the rhubarb plant are poisonous, so be sure that they are not ingested. Rhubarb is easy to grow, but needs cool weather to thrive.
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Rhubarb
Hi Andy,
You did well not to harvest any earlier, but the frost will kill off everything that remains: Harvest as much as you want, discard the leaves, and spread a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help to protect the roots during winter. Thanks for writing!
preserving rhubarb
can I freeze rhubarb until I get enough to cook?? if not how do I save for later use??
how to freeze rhubarb
Cut the rhubarb into small pieces (about 1-inch long) and lay them in one layer on a baking sheet. Put the baking sheet in the freezer and wait until rhubarb is frozen–a few hours. Remove baking sheet and pack rhubarb into freezer safe zip-close bags. If you are storing rhubarb for more than a few months, you will need to blanch it before freezing.
Time for harvest
I have a very healthy looking rhubarb plant. How late can I harvest it? It looks good but I'm nervous about it. Does it go bad before a frost?
You can follow the guidelines
You can follow the guidelines above as to how many weeks to harvest–through end of summer, before the first frost, is usually fine. Schedule just a few weeks of harvest, then give the plant time to recover, especially for winter. For each plant, harvest only about one third of the stalks. Plants should be mature (at least 3 years old) before starting to fully harvest. Stalks should be firm, not soft. Rhubarb usually can tolerate temperatures in the low 30s, even upper 20s (degrees F), but can suffer damage below that. One has to be careful about rhubarb, because if the leaves suffer cold damage, the oxalic acid from the leaves may filter into the stalks, making them toxic as well. Signs of cold damage are blackened, shriveled, limp leaves and limp, mushy stalks. If you see any damage to either leaf or stalk, discard both leaf and stalk.
color of rhubarb
I've had rhubarb for years (stalks red about half way up, then green). Seeing the beautiful red stalks from top to bottom in catalog pictures, I decided I wanted some. Ordered (Victoria) and planted last year. Plant looks beautiful--multiple stalks and quite healthy. Only problem: the stalks are green from head to toe; maybe a hint of pink at the base of some--not at all like the picture in the catalog. So. . . does it take time to develop the red color? Does it need some specific nutrients to develop the color? Did they send me the wrong variety? Or is this just one of those "1%" or such that don't develop the color?
not so red rhubarb
Victoria is variously described as the white, shaded with red, or speckled variety. Crimson Cherry, Red Cherry, MacDonald, and Ruby are among those that are reliably red. As for the wrong plant? This may be a better question for your source.
Green Rhubarb
You can make your Green Rhubarb red by blanching it. Some people put a dustbin over the whole plant so it's dark for a few days. That turns the stalks red. But I think the green Rhubarb has the best flavor. Not quite as pretty, but it's has a better flavor when stewed and sweetened than the red varieties.
Red Leaf Fungus
Hi. I've scanned through the comments here but have yet to see remarks re: red leaf fungus. In short, most info says: discard the plant and roots (properly) and don't plant rhubarb in that soil ever again. Once it's in the soil that area is done for replanting. It has been stated (Phytopth.ca) that it has killed up to 50% of crops in Canada.
We had an amazing patch. We needed to move it and some of the plants ended up in planters and in an area poor for rhubarb (well-meaning partner thought these were good spots). The weakened plants developed this problem at some point - unbeknownst to us - and were put back in the ground in a new area but with the same ideal conditions (soil, sun etc.). It was there they fully displayed the red leaf and began to really suffer. I identified the issue and have bought new plants and planted them in a different area, about 20' from the previous bed. My partner and I are not in agreement about this, as I don't think this is far enough away, but - I will wait and see. The bad part is if the new patch succumbs to the red leaf, now we will have 2 areas that we cannot plant rhubarb.
QUESTION: any ideas on soil treatment for this problem?? So far I cannot find a thing. Thanks.
QUESTION: any tips in addition to removal and destroying the deseased plants w regards to control and avoidance? Obviously keeping the plants as heathly as possible is key - but I am looking for experiential tips.
We are in zone 3 and as said - previously had an amazing patch - so we know rhubarb likes our location!
Thanks!
red leaf/bacterial soft rot on rhubarb
Wow! You have done your research! Red leaf, also called bacterial soft rot, is caused by a bacteria called Erwinia rhapontici. As you have found, there doesn’t seem to be too much available on controls. It appears that there are several host plants, so you may want to be sure not to grow those in the same area that was infected by the diseased rhubarb. How far away you need to plant healthy plants might depend on the vector; if it is by flying insects, then 20 feet may not be enough. Strains do not seem to be host-specific, meaning that they can attack more than one type of plant. Amaranthus hybridus (a weed) seems to be a host, and the bacteria was found on roman chamomile, peppermint, and lemon balm; there are several others. One vector is thought to possibly be insects–so controlling them may help prevent the spread to other areas/plants. Some sites specifically mention controlling eelworms. One source suggested removing infected soil, but that might not be practical. Be sure to maintain good sanitation, and remove plant debris and weeds around the area; the pathogen can overwinter on infected plant tissue. A few sources mention that using Bacillus subtilis looks promising; I don’t know if this is available in a product registered for use on rhubarb in Canada, but here is some information:
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2010/arla-pmra/H113-25-2010-3-eng.pdf
The following scientific article from 2003 provides some information on the disease that might be useful (it contains a list of host plants):
http://140.112.183.1/cpps/pdf/12-2/12-2-069.pdf
Hope this helps!
Rhubarb dying?
We live in the midwest and have had our rhubarb for approximately 5 years. Last year we had a great crop. But this year it looked really great then we had a lot of rain and the wind blew and now it is brown and yellow and the stalks look like they are woody, ( I can send a picture if you like) Usually it is putting off seed pods by now, we are harvesting and freezing it and making rhubarb pie by now! What happened?
Rhubarb with yellowing leaves in container
I'm relatively new to growing rhubarb and live in SE PA. I planted 1 plant from a 1 gallon pot into a larger whiskey barrel style container. I planted it in Miracle Grow moisture control soil. It was doing great for a while putting up quite a few new stalks after. Earlier this week, we had a heat wave. I made sure to give the container some water at night (watering can) after the sun was off it, but since the heat wave, I had 1 leaf yellow and then die now followed by another leaf that has gone completely yellow... The stalks are all relatively thin, but I know this is a new plant and didn't want to go crazy freaking out about it, but I also don't want it to die. The plant gets full morning sun and then part shade/part sun in the afternoon when it is the hottest out. Being that it's in a container rather than in the ground (yard constraints), I thought it would be better than being in full sun. I checked the pot last night and it isn't light, but it isn't heavy like the soil is having difficulty draining (what a normal barrel should feel like). Could someone help me figure out what I need to do to get my plant healthier again? Do I need to give it more food? More/less water? Thanks in advance and please help
rhubarb in a barrel
You might have a couple of things going on: 1) transplanting any plant causes a shock to its system. Think about it: It’s happy, has everything it needs, then it gets moved/uprooted/relocated to an entirely different place. There is an adjustment period. 2) Rhubarb peaks—reaches harvest stage—at about this time (late spring). So it was coming into its own, then it was moved and it has to shift its energy and attention to the new—er—digs. Some plants take a move harder then others. 3) About the soil: Nothing makes rhubarb happier than good-quality animal manure. If you do not have any in the mix, find a way to add/substitute it for what’s in there. Finally, rhubarb likes/needs sun. Water is important, but it needs to drain/run off (not sit in a puddle). Finally (again), the rhubarb is not terribly picky about pH (soil acidity); it should be no lower than 5 but is better at around 6.0 to 6.8. Even with all of this you may not have a crop this year but you certainly may have one next year.
We hope this helps. (Oh, rhubarb likes winter, too. So leave it out in the cold and snow!)
Dear Almanac staff, I planted
Dear Almanac staff, I planted the rhubarb a month or more earlier than the yellowing... so I don't think it would have been a transplanting related issue. I'll take the other issues into consideration. THanks so much. I know it doesn't like being transplanted... but if it's in a barrel container, can I move the container itself or would that stress it out more?
Thanks
Steve
Rhubarb
We have just moved to a condo where I have brought my pot with rhubarb. I have chives & rosemary around the rhubarb plant. We have always had rhubarb in a pot to protect it from the animals like deer but now something is eating the leaves! Sprayed the leaves with water & soap. What could be eating my rhubarb? The plant is the strawberry variety.
rhubarb pests
How large is the damage? If the damage is in large sections, then it might be an animal (although the leaves are toxic). If the holes are ragged and fairly big, check for a trail of slime–as slugs sometimes like to eat rhubarb leaves. Tiny to moderate holes in the leaves could be beetles, such as the Japanese beetle. Caterpillars, such as the European corn borer and imported cabbageworm, may sometimes attack leaves or stalks. Other pests, such as aphids or rhubarb curculio, make punctures rather than chewing holes. Look underneath the leaves, and at the base of plants in the soil, for any lurking pest. For slug control, see: http://www.almanac.com/pest/slugs Good luck!
One stalk
Hi! I am new to growing rhubarb and I planted my stalks last year in spring in north east Pennsylvania. I have not harvested yet and it's June. My plants have 1-3 stalks per plant and are almost 5ft tall.... the leaves are maybe the size of my hand but there are tons of "branches" with leaves. Did I ruin my rhubarb? When do I harvest? Thanks for your help!! I have pictures of it...
Weed.
It's a stupid weed and I'm an idiot.... but my butt hole neighbor lets his trees grow over the fence and hid my plant and it's the right color to be rhubarb. I feel so dumb!!! Sorry. I really feel stupid now.
Trees over fence
You do know that anything / tree branch that falls over the property line is yours to cut off. You just need to be careful that it doesn't kill the tree.
Rhubarb
We have a rhubarb patch that is 70 or ,80 years old and still growing good except as the weather gets warmer there are worms that go up in the stalls and come out the side and leave a jelly like substance. No one else I know has this problem. Do you know anything about this?
borer troubles
This might be a pest called the common stalk borer (Papaipema nebris). Eggs are laid on grasses and weeds in late summer and fall by a moth; in spring, the eggs hatch and larvae feed on grasses and weeds and other plants, sometimes moving over to rhubarb patches, as well as corn etc. Larvae are very active and move about between plants. They pupate in the soil around July and emerge as moths around August. Clear out any weeds surrounding your patch, and keep borders neat and lawn trimmed nearby to discourage them. To be sure of the pest ID, you might take a sample of the larva and photo of damage to your county’s Cooperative Extension service. For contact information, see http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services
Tough Stalks on Rhubarb
I live in Oklahoma and have finally got several good rhubarb plants that are producing well. However, the stalks are tough and coarse. I do amend the soil, but not quite as recommended. Any suggestions or hope?
Growing Rhubarb for dummies
Just moved into a new house in the fall of 2016. This spring (2017) I noticed what appears to be beautiful pink "tubors" emerging from the ground. A friend told me it was rhubarb. There is now a plant with huge leaves growing. I have read all the comments going back to 2015 and am still at a loss as what to do. I have no idea when it was planted. What do I look for. Should I assume this is the first spring for this plant? My home was a foreclosure so I am not able to ask the previous owner. Help!
how old is my rhubarb
Since there is no way of knowing how old the rhubarb is, it is your best bet to treat it as if it is its first year.
How to thin out rhubarb plants
Hi can you tell me how to thin out my rhubarb and can it be done now?I live in yarker ont
dividing rhubarb
Dividing can be done in early spring or fall, but many gardeners prefer doing it in spring. You should dig up the entire crown and remove side shoots while preserving the roots as best you can.
How to thin out rhubarb plants
Hi can you tell me how to thin out my rhubarb and can it be done now?I live in yarker ont
Help for rhubarb please
Help please. I have replanted rhubarb in 4 places, the last I dug out my clay soil and replaced with topsoil and some compost from a woodpile area from years past. My rhubarb will be absolutely beautiful THEN holes (bugs eating the leaves) and rust colored leaves and stems. Then plant failure. Help please. I dearly love rhubarb and want to keep a large patch. My plants have come from my Mom's patch which have flourished for years untouched, to reputable garden centers.
Rhubarb recipe
My favorite is to make sauce with extra water. Strain the fibrous rhubarb and use as topping on cereal, oatmeal, and ice cream. Now the best part. Use the sweet tart liquid as a mixer with Cruzan Blackstrap molasses rum. ( not spiced rum, sweet dark and smoky)
50/50 is about right.
flowering rhubarb
My son sent me a picture of his rhubarb and it has a big section of flowers coming through the middle. In all my years (67), I've never seen a flowering rhubarb. Is it normal? Should he do anything about it? The leaves are about 16 inches across. It really has me stumped.
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