Planting & Caring for Rhubarb in the UK: A Beginner’s Guide

Planting & Caring for Rhubarb in the UK: A Beginner’s Guide

Rhubarb is a long-loved British staple, renowned for its tart stalks that shine in pies, crumbles, sauces, and more. Hardy and relatively low-maintenance, rhubarb can reward even novice gardeners with generous yields year after year—provided it’s properly established and looked after. In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn everything you need to select, plant, and care for rhubarb in the UK, ensuring a continuous supply of these versatile red or pink stems.

1. Introduction: Why Grow Rhubarb in the UK?

Robust, enduring, and perfect for the UK’s temperate climate, rhubarb has secured its place in British home gardens for generations. Once established, this perennial vegetable (often treated as a fruit for cooking purposes) yields tangy stems for a decade or longer. By following basic guidelines on site selection, feeding, watering, and harvesting, you can enjoy:

Reliable Harvests: Seasonal pickings from mid-spring to early summer.
Easy Maintenance: With only moderate weeding and fertilising, rhubarb generally thrives.
Culinary Flexibility: Rhubarb lends itself to sweet desserts, tangy preserves, and even savoury dishes.

Whether you’re aiming for a few crowns in a small patch or incorporating rhubarb into a larger kitchen garden, its hardy nature and unique flavour make it a worthwhile addition.

2. Choosing Varieties and Planting Options

2.1. Common UK Varieties

Timperley Early: Excellent for forcing, delivers an earlier harvest than many types.
Victoria: A long-standing favourite with thick stalks and a balanced tartness.
Glaskins Perpetual: Offers a steady supply of usable stems over a longer season.

2.2. Crowns vs. Seeds

Crowns (Dormant Roots): The standard route, allowing quicker establishment and earlier harvests.
Seeds: An option if crowns are inaccessible, though it takes longer for seed-grown rhubarb to reach harvestable maturity.

2.3. Best Planting Period

Late Autumn/Early Spring: When the crown is dormant, ensuring minimal shock and maximum root development in workable soil conditions.

3. Soil Preparation and Planting Steps

Site Selection
- Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade suits rhubarb.
- Drainage: Well-drained, loamy soil is best; avoid soggy spots prone to waterlogging.
Soil Enrichment
- Dig In: Compost or well-rotted manure, as rhubarb demands nutrient-rich ground. Aim for a depth of ~30 cm to incorporate organic matter thoroughly.
Planting the Crown
- Dig a Hole: Large enough to accommodate roots without bending.
- Position: Place the crown so the top sits about 2–3 cm below surface level.
- Spacing: Maintain ~1 metre between plants; rhubarb’s leaves can spread wide.
- Backfill & Water: Gently replace soil, tamp lightly, and water to settle.
Post-Plant Mulch
- Action: Spread a light mulch layer to help conserve moisture and discourage weeds during establishment.

4. Essential Care: Feeding, Watering, and Weeding

4.1. Feeding

Spring: As shoots appear, apply a balanced fertiliser around the base or top-dress with well-rotted compost.
Mid-Season: If stalks seem thin or you’re harvesting heavily, a secondary feed can boost regrowth.

4.2. Watering

Established Plants: Generally tolerate mild drought but yield better with regular watering, especially in prolonged dry spells.
New Crowns: Ensure consistent moisture in the first 1–2 years.

4.3. Weeding

Method: Remove weeds manually, being cautious of shallow rhubarb roots.
Mulch: An organic layer helps keep weeds down and retains soil moisture.

4.4. Winter Dormancy

Foliage Removal: Clear away dead leaves in autumn, minimising overwintering pests.
Hardiness: Rhubarb typically endures UK winters; an optional mulch provides extra cold protection if needed.

5. Harvesting Rhubarb: When and How

Initial Harvest Restraint
- Year One: Avoid picking or limit to a couple of stalks to let roots strengthen.
Main Harvest Window
- Timeframe: Usually from April to July.
- Method: Grasp a firm stalk near its base and twist gently, or cut cleanly with a knife close to the crown.
Leaf Disposal
- Why: Leaves contain oxalic acid (toxic), so discard them safely—composting is viable if they break down fully.
Leaving Enough Stalks
- Reason: Essential for photosynthesis and replenishing crown energy.
- Rule: Cease harvesting by mid-summer; let the plant rest and prepare for the next season.

6. Common Problems: Troubleshooting Tips

Crown Rot
- Signs: Brown, rotting centre.
- Solution: Ensure proper drainage; remove rotted sections if possible.
Slugs/Snails
- Damage: Chew new stalks, particularly in damp conditions.
- Prevention: Use organic slug pellets, barriers, or set traps.
Rhubarb Blackleg
- Symptoms: Dark, rotting stalk bases.
- Action: Cut out affected parts; keep crowns aerated and avoid overcrowding.
Thin, Weak Stalks
- Causes: Underfeeding, dryness, or an aging crown needing division.
- Remedy: Enrich the soil, maintain consistent moisture, and split older plants every 5–7 years.

7. Forcing Rhubarb for an Early Crop

Why Force?
- Advantage: Harvest tender, pastel-pink stalks weeks ahead of the normal schedule.
- Taste: Forcing typically produces a sweeter, softer product than standard rhubarb.
Ideal Candidates
- Criteria: Crowns at least 2–3 years old to handle the extra stress.
- Timing: Cover in late winter, using a forcing pot or dark container to block out light.
Method
- Heat: Some add straw or manure around the pot to gently warm the soil.
- Harvest: Check in ~4–6 weeks, snipping or twisting the elongated stalks before they toughen.
Recovery
- Rest: Don’t force the same crown annually; let it rebuild strength in subsequent seasons.

8. Conclusion

Growing rhubarb in the UK is a gratifying process that yields season after season of unique, tangy stems perfect for a range of culinary creations. A bit of initial preparation—selecting the right variety, enriching soil with ample organic matter, and ensuring adequate moisture—goes a long way towards vigorous annual harvests. Coupled with timely and responsible harvesting (including the option of forcing for an early treat), rhubarb can remain a steadfast fixture in your garden for well over a decade, reliably delivering its signature flavour year after year.

9. Top 10 Questions and Answers

Q: When should I plant rhubarb crowns for best results?
A: Typically late autumn or early spring, matching the plant’s dormant period and ensuring minimal root disturbance.
Q: How soon can I harvest newly planted rhubarb?
A: Ideally, avoid or limit picking in the first year to let the crown establish. Full harvests usually begin in the second year.
Q: Are the leaves poisonous?
A: Yes, leaves contain high oxalic acid levels. They’re safe to compost but not for consumption.
Q: What if my rhubarb stalks stay greenish instead of red?
A: Some varieties naturally have greener stalks. It’s a flavour difference but generally still fine to eat.
Q: Do I need to water rhubarb regularly in the rainy UK climate?
A: Mature rhubarb often manages with rainfall alone, but watering in dry spells or in the first couple of years fosters better yields.
Q: Can I force any variety of rhubarb?
A: Most can be forced, but those like Timperley Early respond particularly well. Always ensure the crown is established (at least 2–3 years old).
Q: Why are my rhubarb stalks thin and wiry?
A: Under-fertilisation, insufficient watering, or an older crown needing division. Rectify with better feeding or dividing the plant.
Q: Should I remove flower stalks if they appear?
A: Yes, removing them promptly keeps energy focused on producing stalks rather than seeds.
Q: How often do I need to divide rhubarb crowns?
A: Every 5–7 years if growth slows or the centre of the crown becomes woody and unproductive.
Q: When should I stop harvesting each year?
A: Typically by mid-July, so the plant can replenish its reserves for the next growing cycle.

Table of Contents