Dividing Rhubarb

Do you want your rhubarb to keep producing fantastic crops year on year for your crumbles, cakes and gin? Find out about dividing rhubarb.

Dividing Rhubarb: A Comprehensive Guide to Healthier, More Productive Plants

Introduction
Rhubarb, with its tart, ruby-red stalks and lush green leaves, is a beloved perennial in many gardens. Its unique flavor and early harvest season make it a treasured crop for bakers, home cooks, and anyone who relishes fresh, homegrown produce. Over time, however, even the healthiest rhubarb plants can become overcrowded, producing thinner stalks and declining yields. The solution? Dividing rhubarb to rejuvenate the plant, improve its productivity, and ensure a bountiful harvest for years to come.

If your rhubarb patch has been growing in the same spot for several seasons, it may be time to consider division. By splitting the crown into multiple sections, you create younger, more vigorous plants that can develop stronger roots, thicker stems, and better flavor. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about dividing rhubarb, including when to do it, how to prepare, the step-by-step division process, aftercare tips, and the benefits of sharing or expanding your rhubarb patch. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to divide your rhubarb like a pro.

Why Divide Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a long-lived perennial, often thriving in the same spot for a decade or more. Over time, however, the crown can become congested, reducing air circulation and nutrient availability for the developing stalks. This overcrowding may lead to thinner stems, decreased yields, and a generally less vigorous plant.

Dividing your rhubarb crown not only revitalizes an aging plant but also offers several key benefits:

Improved Vigor and Yield:
By dividing an older crown, you give each new section more room to develop roots and foliage, resulting in healthier, more productive plants.
Disease and Pest Management:
Overcrowded patches can promote disease and pest problems. Division introduces better airflow, reducing the risk of fungal infections and other issues.
Space Management:
Dividing a large plant allows you to create multiple smaller plants. You can spread these plants around your garden to maximize space and diversify your growing areas.
Sharing with Others:
Once you’ve divided your rhubarb, you might have extra crowns to share with friends, neighbors, or community gardens, spreading the joy of homegrown rhubarb.

When to Divide Rhubarb

Timing is essential for successful rhubarb division. The best times are:

Early Spring (Just Before Growth Begins):
Dividing rhubarb in early spring, just as the buds begin to swell but before leaves fully emerge, is ideal. At this stage, the plant is still dormant and less stressed by the division process.
Early Autumn (After the Growing Season):
Another good option is early autumn after the foliage has begun to die back. Dividing at this time allows the roots to settle in before winter, resulting in robust spring growth.

While both early spring and autumn are suitable, spring division offers the advantage of a full growing season ahead, enabling the plant to establish quickly. Avoid dividing during the peak growing season when the plant is in full leaf, as it can cause unnecessary stress and shock.

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Preparing to Divide Your Rhubarb

1. Assess the Plant’s Health:
Check your rhubarb plant to ensure it’s a good candidate for division. Look for signs of overcrowding—thinner stems, reduced yield, or multiple crowns fused together. A plant that’s been in place for 5-7 years or more often benefits from division.

2. Gather the Necessary Tools:
You’ll need a sturdy garden fork or spade, a sharp knife or hatchet (for tough, woody crowns), and a wheelbarrow or tarp to transport divisions. Gloves are recommended for handling soil and roots.

3. Soil Preparation:
If you’re replanting divisions in a new location, prepare the soil in advance. Loosen it to a depth of at least 30cm and enrich with well-rotted compost or manure. Rhubarb prefers fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded spot.

4. Watering in Advance:
Watering the rhubarb well a day or two before division can help loosen the soil and reduce stress on the roots, making the process smoother and less damaging.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dividing Rhubarb

Step 1: Loosen the Soil Around the Crown
Use a garden fork or spade to gently loosen the soil around the rhubarb crown. Work in a circle about 30cm away from the base of the plant to avoid damaging the roots. Carefully lift the crown out of the ground, shaking off excess soil.

Step 2: Examine the Crown
Once removed, inspect the rhubarb crown. You’ll likely see multiple buds or “eyes” from which new shoots emerge. A healthy crown will have several plump, firm buds. Identify natural sections where the crown can be split—usually between buds.

Step 3: Divide the Crown
Using a sharp knife, spade, or hatchet, cut the crown into sections. Each division should have at least one strong bud (ideally two or three) and a healthy portion of root attached. Aim for divisions about the size of a fist, although larger divisions can also work well.

Step 4: Discard Any Diseased or Rotten Parts
If you find soft, rotten areas or evidence of disease, remove them and discard the affected material away from your garden. Only replant healthy, vigorous sections.

Step 5: Replant the Divisions
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots without bending them. Place the division so the top of the crown sits about 2-3cm below the soil surface. Backfill gently with soil, firm it around the roots, and water thoroughly to help the plant settle.

Step 6: Spacing
Rhubarb plants need room to spread. Space divisions at least 90-100cm apart. This ensures adequate airflow and room for the plant to develop robust leaves and stalks.

Aftercare for Newly Divided Rhubarb

1. Watering
Keep the soil evenly moist during the establishment period. Adequate water helps the new roots settle in and grow. However, avoid waterlogging, as rhubarb doesn’t like saturated soil.

2. Mulching
Applying a layer of organic mulch around the newly planted divisions helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide nutrients as it breaks down. Just keep the mulch slightly away from the crown to prevent rot.

3. Feeding
In early spring and again in midsummer, apply a balanced, organic fertilizer or a top dressing of well-rotted compost. Rhubarb is a heavy feeder, and regular nutrients support strong growth and abundant harvests.

4. Patience Before Harvesting
Resist the urge to harvest stalks immediately after dividing. Give the divisions a full growing season (or even two) to establish strong roots and foliage. This patience pays off with increased yields and better plant health in the long run.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Dividing Too Frequently
Rhubarb doesn’t need to be divided often. Generally, every 5-8 years is sufficient. Dividing too frequently can stress the plants and reduce yields.

2. Neglecting Soil Preparation
Poor soil preparation leads to underperforming plants. Ensure your soil is nutrient-rich, well-draining, and weed-free before replanting divisions.

3. Harvesting Too Soon
Give your divisions time to settle in before taking a harvest. Taking stalks too early can weaken the plant and slow its progress.

4. Ignoring Signs of Disease
Always inspect the crown carefully. Planting a diseased division can introduce problems to your garden. Remove and discard any compromised material.

Long-Term Benefits of Dividing Rhubarb

1. Extended Plant Life
Dividing rejuvenates aging crowns, prolonging the life of your rhubarb patch. With proper care, your new divisions can produce abundant harvests for another decade or more.

2. Improved Crop Quality
Divisions often result in thicker, juicier stalks due to better root distribution and nutrient uptake. This translates into tastier, more reliable harvests.

3. Efficient Use of Space
If your original rhubarb plant was large and unwieldy, dividing it into multiple plants allows you to optimize your garden layout. Perhaps you’ll create a dedicated rhubarb patch or intersperse divisions with other perennial crops.

4. Sharing and Community Building
Extra divisions mean you can share the joy of rhubarb growing with friends and neighbors. Passing on a division fosters community connections and supports local food production.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Slow Growth After Division:
If your newly divided rhubarb isn’t growing vigorously, check the soil conditions. Is it too dry or too wet? Are weeds competing for nutrients? Adjust conditions as necessary, and consider applying a balanced organic fertilizer to boost growth.

2. Leggy or Spindly Stalks:
Thin stalks may indicate overcrowding, insufficient nutrients, or too much shade. Ensure proper spacing, feed the plants regularly, and consider relocating them to a sunnier spot if needed.

3. Wilted Leaves:
Check for pests (like aphids) or fungal issues. Improve airflow, remove any diseased leaves, and encourage natural predators. Avoid overhead watering, which can spread fungal spores.

4. Discoloration or Stunted Growth:
This could be a sign of nutrient deficiencies. Test your soil pH, add compost or a balanced fertilizer, and maintain proper watering. Healthy soil is key to healthy plants.

Culinary Uses for Your New Crop

Once your divided plants have had time to mature, you’ll have plenty of rhubarb to experiment with in the kitchen:

Rhubarb Crumble:
A classic dessert pairing tart rhubarb with a sweet, crunchy topping.
Rhubarb Jam:
Preserve your bounty for year-round enjoyment. Rhubarb jam pairs beautifully with strawberries, ginger, or vanilla.
Chutneys and Sauces:
Rhubarb’s tangy flavor makes it a natural in savory sauces, balancing richer dishes like pork or duck.
Cordials and Syrups:
A rhubarb-infused simple syrup can elevate cocktails, mocktails, and sparkling waters.
Raw in Salads:
Thinly sliced young rhubarb stalks add a crisp, tangy note to green or grain-based salads.

Conclusion

Dividing rhubarb is a simple, effective method to revitalize your plants, extend their life, and ensure you enjoy bountiful harvests for years to come. By understanding when and how to divide, preparing the soil properly, and giving your divisions the care they need, you’ll reap the rewards of thicker stalks, improved yields, and healthier plants.

The process not only benefits your own garden but can also strengthen community bonds by providing extra crowns to share. With patience and attention to detail, dividing rhubarb can become a rewarding part of your gardening routine, ensuring a steady supply of this beloved perennial and its unique flavor each growing season.