How to Grow Rhubarb for a Spring Harvest: A Complete UK Gardening Guide

Introduction

Few things say “British springtime” quite like a bowl of stewed rhubarb or a warm rhubarb crumble. With its tart flavour, bold colour, and easy-growing nature, rhubarb is a must-have for any garden or allotment. Once established, it returns year after year, producing thick stalks just when you’re craving something fresh from the garden.

In this detailed, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to grow rhubarb for a spring harvest—including choosing crowns or divisions, planting times, care tips, harvesting methods, and tricks to extend your cropping season for years of tasty success.

Why Grow Rhubarb?

🌱 Perennial crop – Comes back every spring with minimal effort
🍓 Early harvest – One of the first crops ready in the year
🧁 Versatile in the kitchen – Use in crumbles, jams, compotes, and drinks
❄️ Cold-hardy – Thrives in UK winters and doesn’t mind frost
🪴 Low-maintenance – Great for beginners and allotment growers

Best Rhubarb Varieties for Spring Harvest

Variety	Type	Notes
Timperley Early	Early	One of the first to crop, ideal for spring harvests
Victoria	Maincrop	Traditional favourite, large yields, greenish stalks
Raspberry Red	Maincrop	Deep red stalks, sweet and tender
Champagne	Early	Pale pink stems, great for forcing
Stockbridge Arrow	Mid-season	Long straight stems, excellent flavour and yield

Tip: Grow both early and maincrop varieties for a longer harvesting window.

When to Plant Rhubarb in the UK

Plant Type	Best Planting Time
Bare-root crowns	October to March (dormant season)
Potted plants	Any time, ideally autumn or early spring
Divisions (split crowns)	Early spring or autumn

Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil. Rhubarb planted in autumn establishes well and produces strong crops in spring.

Where to Grow Rhubarb

Rhubarb thrives in:

Full sun to partial shade
Well-drained, fertile soil with good moisture retention
Garden beds, raised beds, or large containers (for compact varieties)

Ideal Conditions:

Deep, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0)
Avoid shallow or compacted soil
A spot that can remain undisturbed for 8–10 years

Step-by-Step: How to Grow Rhubarb for a Spring Harvest

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Rhubarb is a heavy feeder and benefits from deep soil preparation.

Clear the area of weeds and stones
Dig a hole 30–40cm deep and wide
Fork in well-rotted manure or compost
Let soil settle for a few weeks before planting if possible

Avoid fresh manure at planting—it can scorch new crowns.

Step 2: Planting Rhubarb Crowns

Planting Bare-root Crowns:

Dig a shallow hole and create a mound of soil in the centre
Spread roots around the mound with the growing bud just above the surface
Backfill gently and firm soil around the crown
Water in well

Planting in Containers:

Use a large container (40–50cm deep)
Fill with rich loam-based compost and some organic matter
Ensure good drainage and position in a sunny spot

Step 3: Spacing Rhubarb Plants

Space plants 75–100cm apart
If growing multiple rows, allow 90–120cm between rows
Leave plenty of space for air circulation and access

Caring for Rhubarb Plants

1. Watering

Keep soil moist, especially in dry spells
Water deeply rather than frequently
Avoid soggy conditions that lead to crown rot

2. Feeding

Apply well-rotted compost or manure in late winter or early spring
Use a balanced fertiliser (like Growmore) in spring to boost growth
Avoid overfeeding with nitrogen—it leads to soft, weak stalks

3. Mulching

Mulch with compost or straw in late winter to suppress weeds and retain moisture
Keep mulch away from the crown to prevent rot

Forcing Rhubarb for Early Harvests

For a sweeter, earlier crop, try forcing your rhubarb.

How to Force Rhubarb:

Cover a crown in late winter (January/February) with a large pot or forcing jar
Exclude all light—this encourages tender pink stems
Harvest 6–8 weeks later
Do not force the same plant more than once every 2–3 years
Let the plant recover fully after forcing

Harvesting Rhubarb

When to Harvest:

Year 1: Do not harvest to allow the crown to establish
Year 2: Light harvest from May–June
Year 3 onwards: Full harvest from April–July (earlier if forced)

How to Harvest:

Grip the stalk near the base
Pull and twist gently—don’t cut
Leave at least one-third of the stalks to feed the crown
Stop harvesting by early July to allow the plant to recover

Do not eat the leaves—they contain toxic oxalic acid.

Storing and Using Rhubarb

Storage Tips:

Refrigerate fresh stalks for up to a week
Freeze in chunks (raw or blanched) for longer storage
Don’t wash until ready to use

Culinary Ideas:

Rhubarb crumble or tart
Compotes and sauces
Chutneys and jams
Rhubarb gin or cordial
Roasted with honey and orange

Common Rhubarb Problems and Solutions

Problem	Symptoms	Solutions
Crown rot	Black mushy crown, foul smell	Avoid waterlogging, plant in well-drained soil
Slugs and snails	Damage to new shoots	Use traps or barriers, especially in early spring
Aphids	Curled leaves, sticky residue	Remove by hand or spray with water/soapy solution
Rhubarb curculio (weevil)	Holes in stalks	Rare in UK, remove affected stalks, keep area tidy
Poor growth	Small, weak stalks	Feed with compost or fertiliser; ensure crowns not buried too deep

Dividing Rhubarb to Rejuvenate Plants

After 5–7 years, rhubarb can become overcrowded and less productive.

How to Divide Rhubarb:

Do in autumn or early spring while dormant
Dig up the crown and cut into sections with 1–2 buds each
Replant healthy divisions in fresh soil
Water well and mulch

Tip: Discard woody, diseased, or old centre sections and keep the vigorous outer parts.

Companion Planting with Rhubarb

Rhubarb isn’t fussy, but some companions improve the garden ecosystem.

Good Companions:

Garlic – deters pests
Onions – help repel aphids
Nasturtiums – attract beneficial insects
Brassicas – rhubarb helps deter whiteflies

Avoid Planting Near:

Dock, sorrel, or other oxalic acid-loving weeds
Crops needing constant disturbance—rhubarb hates being moved

Conclusion

Rhubarb is a timeless, low-maintenance crop that brings colour and flavour to your garden long before most other fruits are ready. With the right planting, feeding, and harvesting techniques, you’ll enjoy sweet, tangy stalks every spring for a decade or more.

Whether you’re forcing an early crop for delicate pink stems or growing bold outdoor stalks for hearty crumbles, this hardy perennial will reward you year after year. So dig in, plant some crowns, and get ready for the earliest harvest of the season.