Growing Rhubarb in December: Tips and Advice for Winter Planting

Rhubarb is a hardy, perennial vegetable that is known for its tart, delicious stalks. It’s a versatile plant used in both sweet and savory dishes, making it a popular addition to any garden. Winter, particularly December, is the perfect time to plant rhubarb crowns while the plant is dormant. By planting in the winter, you give the rhubarb a head start to develop strong roots, ensuring a healthy, productive crop by spring.

In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits of planting rhubarb in December, how to prepare your soil, tips for winter care, and how to maximize your harvest in the coming growing season.

Why Plant Rhubarb in December?

Planting rhubarb crowns in December takes advantage of the plant’s natural dormancy, allowing the roots to establish themselves during the cooler months. This gives the rhubarb a head start when spring arrives, resulting in a stronger, more vigorous plant that is ready to produce stalks the following year.

Rhubarb is incredibly hardy and thrives in cold climates, making it an excellent crop to plant during the winter. By getting your crowns in the ground early, you’re setting your garden up for a long and productive harvest season.

The Benefits of Planting Rhubarb in December:

Dormant Planting: Rhubarb is dormant in the winter, so planting in December minimizes transplant shock and allows the roots to establish during the colder months.
Cold Tolerance: Rhubarb is highly frost-resistant, making it ideal for winter planting, especially in colder climates.
Early Establishment: Planting rhubarb crowns in December gives them time to develop strong roots, leading to a more robust plant that can produce high yields in the years to come.
Perennial Growth: Once established, rhubarb can produce stalks for many years, making it a reliable crop that comes back year after year.

Choosing the Right Rhubarb Varieties for Winter Planting

When selecting rhubarb varieties to plant in December, it’s important to choose hardy, reliable types that will perform well in your climate. There are many excellent rhubarb varieties to choose from, each with its own unique flavor, color, and yield.

Popular Rhubarb Varieties for Winter Planting:

Victoria: One of the most popular and reliable rhubarb varieties, Victoria is known for its large, thick stalks and slightly sweet flavor. It performs well in colder climates and is ideal for winter planting.
Timperley Early: A great choice for gardeners who want an early harvest, Timperley Early produces tender stalks and thrives in cooler temperatures, making it a good option for December planting.
Glaskins Perpetual: This variety is known for its ability to produce stalks throughout the growing season, rather than just in spring. It’s a great choice for those looking for a longer harvest window.
Champagne: A sweeter variety with slender, bright pink stalks, Champagne is a beautiful addition to any garden. It’s also cold-hardy, making it suitable for winter planting.
Red Canadian: This variety is known for its deep red stalks and strong, tart flavor. It’s ideal for colder regions and produces high yields when established.

When choosing a rhubarb variety, consider your climate and how early you’d like to start harvesting. Most varieties will thrive when planted in winter, especially if given proper care and preparation.

Preparing the Soil for Rhubarb

Rhubarb requires rich, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Proper soil preparation is crucial for giving your rhubarb the best start, especially when planting in the winter.

Steps for Preparing the Soil:

Choose the Right Location: Rhubarb thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day and has well-draining soil.
Test the Soil: Rhubarb prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. Test your soil and amend it if necessary to reach the correct pH level. If your soil is too acidic, you can raise the pH by adding lime. If it’s too alkaline, add sulfur to lower it.
Add Organic Matter: Before planting, enrich the soil with well-rotted manure or compost. Rhubarb is a heavy feeder, so incorporating organic matter will help provide the nutrients it needs for strong growth.
Improve Drainage: Rhubarb does not tolerate waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. If your garden has heavy clay soil, consider adding sand or planting in raised beds to improve drainage.
Loosen the Soil: Dig over the soil to a depth of about 30cm (12 inches) to ensure good aeration and root penetration. Remove any weeds or debris from the planting area.

How to Plant Rhubarb in December

Once your soil is prepared, it’s time to plant your rhubarb crowns. Whether you’re planting bare-root crowns or divisions from an existing plant, the process is simple and straightforward.

Planting Rhubarb Crowns

Dig the Hole: Dig a hole about 30cm (12 inches) wide and 30cm (12 inches) deep for each rhubarb crown. Space each crown about 90cm to 1.2m (3-4 feet) apart, as rhubarb plants will grow large and need plenty of room to spread.
Planting Depth: Place the rhubarb crown in the hole, making sure that the top of the crown is just below the soil surface. The buds should be 2-3cm (1 inch) beneath the soil level. Cover the crown with soil, gently firming it down.
Watering: Water the newly planted rhubarb crown thoroughly to help the roots settle into the soil. Rhubarb requires consistent moisture, but be careful not to overwater, especially in winter when the soil can be naturally moist.
Mulch: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Mulching with straw, leaves, or well-rotted compost helps protect the crown from freezing temperatures and reduces the risk of frost damage.

Caring for Rhubarb Through Winter

Once planted, rhubarb requires minimal care during the winter months. Since the plant is dormant, your focus should be on protecting the crown and ensuring the soil remains in good condition.

Watering

Rhubarb doesn’t need much water in winter, especially if the soil is naturally moist from rain or snow. However, if you experience a dry spell, make sure to keep the soil slightly moist to support root development. Avoid overwatering, as rhubarb is prone to root rot if left in waterlogged conditions.

Mulching

Applying a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant is essential for protecting the crown from freezing. Straw, leaves, or compost will help insulate the crown, preventing it from being damaged by severe frost. The mulch will also decompose over time, enriching the soil and feeding the plant.

Frost Protection

Rhubarb is highly cold-tolerant, but in areas where winter temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, consider adding extra protection. Use horticultural fleece, straw, or even an upturned bucket to shield the crown from extreme cold, particularly in the first winter after planting.

Avoid Harvesting in the First Year

One of the key rules when planting rhubarb in December is to avoid harvesting in the first year. Allow the plant to focus its energy on establishing strong roots and foliage. If you pick stalks in the first growing season, it can weaken the plant and reduce future yields. By the second year, your rhubarb will be well-established and ready for regular harvests.

Harvesting Rhubarb

Rhubarb planted in December will be ready to harvest by late spring or early summer of the following year, depending on the variety and growing conditions. In the second year, you can start harvesting the stalks when they reach about 30-40cm (12-16 inches) long.

Harvesting Tips:

Twist, Don’t Cut: When harvesting rhubarb, gently twist and pull the stalks at the base, rather than cutting them. This method encourages healthy growth and prevents the plant from becoming damaged.
Don’t Over-Harvest: Only harvest a few stalks at a time, especially in the second year. Leave at least one-third of the stalks on the plant to continue photosynthesizing and support root development.
Avoid the Leaves: Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which is toxic to humans. Always discard the leaves and only consume the stalks.

Once harvested, rhubarb stalks can be used in a variety of dishes, including pies, jams, sauces, and chutneys. Fresh rhubarb can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for long-term storage.

Conclusion

Planting rhubarb in December is a fantastic way to get a head start on the growing season. By planting during the winter months, you give the roots plenty of time to establish before the plant begins actively growing in the spring. With proper soil preparation, winter care, and patience, your rhubarb will reward you with years of productive harvests.

By following the tips in this guide, you can ensure that your rhubarb plants thrive in the winter and grow into strong, healthy plants that will provide an abundance of delicious stalks for years to come.

Find out more things you can grow in December here