Rhubarb Growing Instructions
Unpack straight away and, if not planting immediately place crowns in a box or seed tray, surrounding the roots with moist peat. Keep somewhere cool and light.
Rhubarb will tolerate a variety of soil conditions and types but it best to choose a fairly sunny spot and avoid areas that are prone to water logging. Dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. Just before planting apply a general-purpose fertiliser at a rate of 120 – 150 g per square metre (4 – 5 oz per square yard) and rake in.
Planting is best done in October and November or February and March. Plant the crowns 90 cm (3 ft) apart with the bud end just below the soil surface. Firm in and water during dry weather as necessary. Remove flower stems as they appear.
The stems can be harvested in the spring and early summer by grasping at the base and pulling and twisting. It is best to avoid pulling the first year and only sparingly in the second. This will give the crowns the opportunity to establish, they should then crop for up to ten years.
In the autumn, when the foliage has died down, tidy around the plants removing any dead vegetation. An application of general fertiliser at about 90 g per square metre (3 oz per square yard) at this time will benefit and a mulch of well rotted garden compost or manure in late winter can be applied.
