Growing Rhubarb in the UK: A Complete Guide for a Bountiful Harvest

Growing Rhubarb in the UK: A Complete Guide for a Bountiful Harvest

A staple in many British gardens, rhubarb is valued for its tart stalks that transform into delicious crumbles, pies, and preserves. Hardy and relatively easy to maintain, this perennial plant can provide reliable harvests for a decade or more when properly established. Whether you’re starting from crowns or forcing tender stems for an early crop, this guide covers everything you need to know to grow rhubarb successfully in the UK—from site selection to seasonal care and pest management.

1. Introduction: Why Grow Rhubarb?

Rhubarb’s distinct tangy flavour makes it a go-to ingredient in classic British desserts. It’s also a resilient perennial that, once established, requires minimal effort to deliver generous yields of succulent stalks. By choosing a suitable planting site and employing the correct care techniques, you can enjoy:

Multiple Harvests: Mature crowns can produce an abundance of stems each growing season.
Longevity: A well-tended rhubarb patch can remain productive for 10–15 years.
Early Spring Harvests: Forced rhubarb can be ready weeks ahead of outdoor crops, giving you fresh stalks in the late winter or very early spring.

Despite its hardy nature, rhubarb benefits from thoughtful soil preparation, proper feeding, and timely harvesting. With just a little extra know-how, you’ll be reaping sweet-tart stems from the same plants year after year.

2. Choosing Varieties and Planting

Popular Cultivars
- Timperley Early: Known for its early cropping, especially suitable for forcing.
- Victoria: A classic variety producing robust, thick stems with a balanced flavour.
- Glaskins Perpetual: Useful for multiple harvests; can be picked later in the season.
Crowns vs. Seeds
- Crowns: Typically preferred, as they establish faster and produce harvestable stalks sooner.
- Seeds: An option for those who can’t source crowns, though germination and growth may take longer.
Best Planting Times
- Dormant Crowns: Usually planted in late autumn or early spring when the ground is workable.
- Established Plants: If relocating or dividing, aim for the dormant season to reduce transplant shock.

3. Soil Preparation and Planting Steps

3.1. Site Selection

Sunlight: Rhubarb prefers full sun, though it tolerates partial shade.
Drainage: Avoid waterlogged areas; consistent moisture is beneficial but not standing water.
Space: Each crown needs about 1 metre of clear ground around it due to the broad leaves.

3.2. Soil Enrichment

Dig Deep: Spade soil to a depth of at least 30 cm, removing weeds.
Add Organic Matter: Work in well-rotted manure or compost for improved fertility and structure. Rhubarb is a heavy feeder.

3.3. Planting Steps

Dig a Hole: Large enough to accommodate the crown’s roots without bending.
Position: Place the crown so the top sits roughly 2–3 cm below the soil surface.
Backfill and Water: Firm soil gently around the crown, water thoroughly to settle.
Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and curb weed growth.

4. Seasonal Care: Feeding, Watering, and More

Feeding
- Spring: Once growth appears, apply a balanced fertiliser or mulch with well-rotted compost.
- Mid-Season: A second light feed can support continued growth, especially if harvests are large.
Watering
- Consistency: Keep soil evenly moist, particularly in dry spells.
- Caution: Overwatering can cause rot; ensure good drainage.
Weeding
- Method: Hand-weed carefully around crowns to avoid damaging shallow roots.
- Why: Reduces competition for nutrients, leading to thicker, juicier stalks.
Winter Dormancy
- Action: Remove dying foliage to discourage pests.
- Protection: Crowns survive frosts well, though an extra mulch layer can help in very cold areas.

5. Harvesting Rhubarb: Timing and Techniques

First-Year Plants
- Advice: Avoid heavy picking in the first year; allow roots to establish. Some recommend not harvesting at all to strengthen the crown.
Main Harvest Window
- Season: Generally from April to July, once stems are at least 20–30 cm long.
- Method: Grip a stalk near the base and pull or twist gently. Alternatively, cut with a sharp knife close to the crown.
Avoid Over-Harvesting
- Reason: Leaving a few stems ensures the crown retains energy for next season.
- Rule: Typically, don’t remove more than half the stalks at once.
End of Harvest Season
- Stop picking by midsummer (around July) so the plant replenishes reserves.
- Avoid ingesting leaves as they contain high oxalic acid levels.

6. Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Crown Rot
- Symptom: Dark, mushy tissue at the crown or base of stalks.
- Solution: Improve soil drainage, remove infected sections, and avoid overwatering.
Slugs and Snails
- Threat: May nibble new shoots in spring.
- Prevention: Use slug pellets, traps, or apply barriers (e.g., copper tape) around crowns.
Rhubarb Blackleg
- Symptom: Stalk bases turn black, rotting away.
- Remedy: Remove affected stems, ensure good drainage, and avoid injuring crowns during cultivation.
Poor Growth or Thin Stalks
- Cause: Insufficient feeding, overcrowded crowns, or inadequate moisture.
- Fix: Split and replant older, congested crowns every 5–7 years. Enhance soil fertility with compost.

7. Forcing Rhubarb: An Early Crop Option

Why Forcing?
- Result: Tender, sweet stems that appear weeks before the outdoor harvest.
- Taste: Forcing yields delicately flavoured, pale pink rhubarb prized for its culinary uses.
Timing
- Start: Late winter, once the crown is at least 2–3 years old and in dormancy.
- End: Forced stalks can be picked in late winter or early spring, about 4–6 weeks after covering.
Method
- Cover: Invert a forcing pot or opaque bucket over the crown to block light.
- Heat: Some add straw or manure around the pot for mild warmth.
- Check: Harvest stems when about 20–25 cm long, bright pink, and tender.
Recovery
- Skip forcing the same crown for a couple of seasons to allow it to recover its energy.

8. Conclusion

From Sunday roasts to scrumptious desserts, rhubarb stands out as a versatile, flavour-packed crop that flourishes in the UK’s moderate climate. By investing time in soil preparation, choosing robust varieties, watering consistently, and mastering the art of harvesting without depleting the crown, you can secure a steady supply of these tangy stems year after year. If you fancy a special treat, consider forcing a mature crown to enjoy the soft, pastel-pink stalks well before spring buds burst. With a little care and the right knowledge, growing rhubarb can be a simple, delicious addition to any British garden.

9. Top 10 Questions and Answers

Q: When is the best time to plant rhubarb crowns?
A: Late autumn or early spring, when the ground is workable and plants are dormant.
Q: How soon can I harvest newly planted rhubarb?
A: Ideally, let it establish for a full year, or at least avoid heavy picking until the second season.
Q: Should I remove rhubarb flowers if they appear?
A: Yes. Snap off flower stalks to focus the crown’s energy on producing stems rather than seeds.
Q: Is forcing rhubarb harmful to the plant?
A: Not if done occasionally on well-established crowns. Let the plant recover for a season or two before forcing again.
Q: What if my rhubarb tastes especially bitter?
A: Overly mature stalks can be more fibrous or sour. Harvest when stalks are young and avoid letting them grow too large.
Q: How do I safely compost rhubarb leaves?
A: Despite high oxalic acid content, they do break down in compost. Ensure a balanced mix and let the compost fully decompose.
Q: Can rhubarb grow in partial shade?
A: Yes, but yields may be lower. Full sun generally supports thicker, more numerous stalks.
Q: What spacing is recommended between rhubarb crowns?
A: About 1 metre apart to allow ample room for sprawling leaves and roots.
Q: Do I need to water rhubarb in rainy UK climates?
A: Occasional additional watering helps during dry spells. Otherwise, established plants typically manage with natural rainfall.
Q: When should I divide and replant older rhubarb crowns?
A: About every 5–7 years. Lift in autumn or early spring, discarding woody centre sections and replanting healthy pieces.

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