How to Grow Rhubarb in the UK: Step-by-Step Planting & Care Guide

How to Grow Rhubarb in the UK: Step-by-Step Planting & Care Guide

A longtime favourite in British gardens, rhubarb rewards growers with tangy stalks that lend themselves to pies, crumbles, jams, and more. Hardy and long-lived, rhubarb offers reliable harvests for years when planted and cared for correctly. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll discover the essential methods for selecting, planting, and maintaining rhubarb in UK conditions, ensuring a bountiful supply of succulent, crimson-tinted stems each growing season.

1. Introduction: Why Grow Rhubarb?

Renowned for its signature tart flavour and versatility, rhubarb can be transformed into sweet desserts, tangy preserves, and even savoury sauces. Its robust nature makes it a favourite among UK gardeners:

Longevity: Well-established crowns can yield consistent harvests for 10–15 years.
Low Maintenance: With just a bit of feeding and watering, rhubarb generally thrives without fuss.
Early Crop Potential: Forcing rhubarb in late winter can provide tender, pale-pink stems well before spring’s first outdoor harvest.

Whether you’re seeking a dependable perennial crop or craving fresh, homegrown stalks for seasonal recipes, rhubarb’s combination of simplicity and productivity stands out among British garden staples.

2. Selecting Varieties and Planting Options

2.1. Popular UK Cultivars

Timperley Early: True to its name, it produces stems earlier than many others, making it a go-to choice for forcing.
Victoria: A classic, widely available variety yielding thick, red-green stalks with a balanced flavour.
Glaskins Perpetual: Known for its ability to produce usable stalks later into the season.

2.2. Crowns vs. Seeds

Crowns (Preferred Method): Most gardeners opt for dormant crowns, which establish quickly and start yielding edible stalks within one or two seasons.
Seeds: While possible, growing rhubarb from seed involves lengthier waiting times before harvest, and young seedlings may not be true to the parent variety.

2.3. Optimal Planting Times

Autumn or Early Spring: Plant or divide crowns when the ground is workable and before significant growth begins.
Dormancy: Aim to put crowns into the soil when they’re leafless or just beginning to sprout.

3. Step-by-Step Planting Instructions

3.1. Soil Preparation

Location: Choose a sunny site (or partial shade) with at least 6 hours of light daily.
Drainage: Rhubarb dislikes soggy ground. Amend clay or boggy soil with grit or compost to improve aeration.
Fertility: Dig in ample well-rotted manure or compost—rhubarb is a heavy feeder that responds well to organic matter.

3.2. Planting the Crowns

Dig a Hole: At least 30 cm deep and wide enough to accommodate the crown’s root system without bending.
Depth: Place the crown so its top sits about 2–3 cm below surface level.
Spacing: About 1 metre apart in rows or patches, giving each plant room for broad leaves.
Backfill & Water: Firm soil around roots, water thoroughly to settle the crown.
Mulch: A layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

3.3. Post-Planting Care

Initial Watering: Keep soil lightly moist while crowns establish.
Weeding: Remove competitive weeds by hand to reduce disturbance of shallow rhubarb roots.

4. Seasonal Care: Feeding, Watering, and More

Feeding
- Spring: Once you see fresh shoots, apply a balanced fertiliser or well-rotted compost around the plant’s base.
- Mid-Season: Top-dress lightly if growth slows or if you plan a significant harvest.
Watering
- Frequency: Mature rhubarb can withstand mild drought but thrives with consistent watering in dry spells.
- New Plants: Ensure soil remains moist (not waterlogged) as they establish.
Weed Control
- Method: Hand-weed gently, avoiding damage to shallow root systems.
- Mulch: Helps both control weeds and maintain even soil moisture.
Winter Dormancy
- Action: Cut away dying foliage in late autumn.
- Protection: Crowns tolerate frost, but a mulch layer can provide additional insulation in severe winters.

5. Harvesting Rhubarb: Timing and Techniques

When to Start Harvesting
- First Year: Ideally, refrain from heavy picking, allowing the plant to build a robust root system.
- Subsequent Years: Harvest typically runs from April to July, depending on variety and weather.
How to Harvest
- Method: Grip each stalk near the base, twist and pull gently, or use a clean knife for removal.
- Leaf Removal: Discard leaves immediately—they’re high in oxalic acid and inedible.
Harvest Frequency
- Guideline: Avoid stripping the crown bare; leave a few stalks to sustain growth. Stop harvesting by mid-summer to let the plant recharge.
Late Season
- Taste: Stalks can turn woody if left unpicked too long; best flavour is usually found in younger stems.

6. Common Problems: Troubleshooting Rhubarb Issues

Crown Rot
- Signs: Brown, rotting tissue at the crown base.
- Solutions: Improve drainage, remove infected areas, avoid waterlogged soils.
Slugs & Snails
- Risk: May chew new shoots in spring.
- Prevention: Use slug pellets, traps, or protective barriers around plants.
Rhubarb Blackleg
- Symptoms: Blackening at the base of the stalks, leading to rot.
- Action: Remove infected stems and enhance air circulation. Keep the area weed-free.
Thin or Spindly Stalks
- Causes: Poor soil nutrients, inconsistent watering, or an overcrowded crown needing division.
- Remedy: Top-dress with compost, ensure adequate moisture, and consider splitting older, dense crowns.

7. Forcing Rhubarb for Early Harvests

Why Force?
- Advantages: Yields tender, pale stalks 2–3 weeks earlier than outdoor crop.
- Taste: Sweeter, delicate flavour ideal for premium culinary dishes.
Best Crowns
- Criteria: Crowns at least 3 years old, well-established and healthy.
- Timing: Place a forcing pot (or large opaque container) over the crown in late winter.
Method
- Light Exclusion: Cut off sunlight, encouraging rapid, pale shoot growth.
- Warmth: Some gardeners add straw or manure around the pot for extra insulation.
Post-Forcing Care
- Recovery: Remove the container after harvest; allow the plant a full season to recuperate. Forcing typically alternates every 1–2 years.

8. Conclusion

Growing rhubarb in the UK is a straightforward venture with sweet rewards—providing succulent stalks for crumbles, pies, and preserves across spring and early summer. By prioritising healthy soil, spacing crowns generously, watering reliably, and employing patience in the first season, you’ll set a strong foundation for years of tangy harvests. For the keenest culinary enthusiasts, forcing a well-aged crown offers an extra-early treat. With these guidelines, rhubarb can flourish as a low-maintenance perennial that reliably fills your garden and your kitchen with a taste of British tradition.

9. Top 10 Questions and Answers

Q: When is the best time to plant rhubarb in the UK?
A: Generally, in late autumn or early spring when crowns are dormant and the ground is workable.
Q: How soon can I start harvesting newly planted rhubarb crowns?
A: Ideally, wait at least one full year (or until the second growing season) before picking more than a few stems to strengthen the root system.
Q: What is “forcing” and does it damage the plant?
A: Forcing covers the crown to exclude light, producing tender, early stalks. It doesn’t harm mature plants if done occasionally and they’re allowed to recover afterward.
Q: How often should I fertilise rhubarb?
A: A balanced feed or compost application in spring is generally sufficient, with a possible additional feed mid-season if growth wanes.
Q: Are rhubarb leaves safe to compost since they’re poisonous to eat?
A: Yes, the oxalic acid breaks down in compost. Just ensure thorough decomposition and keep them balanced with other green/brown materials.
Q: Can I grow rhubarb in a container?
A: Large, deep pots can work for dwarf varieties or short-term growth, but rhubarb typically prefers ample root space in garden beds.
Q: Why are my rhubarb stalks so thin?
A: Possible causes include poor soil nutrition, insufficient watering, or an aged, overcrowded crown needing division.
Q: When should I divide older rhubarb crowns?
A: Usually after 5–7 years. Lift in autumn or early spring, replanting healthy sections with strong buds.
Q: Should I remove the flower stalks if my rhubarb tries to bloom?
A: Yes, cutting off flower stalks redirects energy back into producing edible stems.
Q: What if slugs are devouring my rhubarb shoots?
A: Apply organic pellets, set up beer traps, or use physical barriers (like copper tape) around the plants to deter slugs and snails.

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