How do you take care of rhubarb plants?
Rhubarb grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Choose a site with soil that is well-draining and fertile. Good drainage is essential, as rhubarb will rot if kept too wet. Mix compost, rotted manure, or anything high in organic matter into the soil.
How much sun do rhubarb plants need?
Choose a sunny spot. Rhubarb is cold hardy and drought tolerant. After growth stops in the fall, the plants go dormant, and require a period below 4°C (40°F) to stimulate good spring bud growth. In the second year, remove flower stalks as they appear.
How do you take care of rhubarb in the spring?
After planting, water the plants well and mulch with 3 inches of straw. In future years, you can help your rhubarb early in the spring. Rake the straw mulch away from the plant and put down 2 or 3 inches of composted manure around the plant in a ring. Do not cover the crown where the leaves will emerge.
What do you do with rhubarb in the first year?
With newly planted rhubarb, resist the temptation to harvest any stems in the first year, as this will reduce the plant’s vigour. The following year, pick just a few stems. After that, the plant should be well established and can be harvested normally.
How many rhubarb plants do I need?
At maturity, a rhubarb plant gets to be about 3 feet in diameter, so plant them 3 to 4 feet apart in a 3- or 4-foot-wide bed. Four to six plants will provide plenty of stalks for most families. Harvest sparingly, starting in the second year.
Where does rhubarb grow best?
Grow rhubarb in full sun, in rich, lightly moist soil. In hot regions (USDA hardiness zone 6 and higher), plant rhubarb where it will get some protection from hot afternoon sun. Rhubarb will not thrive in a soggy location, where it will be susceptible to root rot, one of the few problems rhubarb can encounter.
Can I use Miracle Grow on rhubarb?
You can use a 10-10-10 fertlizer , Miracle-Grow All Purpose Plant Food (I follow directions on package for a gallon of water) or use well rotted mature. If you follow my instructions for the first two years, you will have plenty of rhubarb to make up for the wait and establishing of your plants.
What’s the best fertilizer for rhubarb?
For the highest yields of rhubarb stems, fertilize your plants three times per year. Apply 2 to 3 inches of composted manure, compost or ½ cup of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant in early spring (now). Once growth starts to occur, apply fertilizer again.
What kind of temperature does Rheum rhabarbarum grow in?
Rheum rhabarbarum, commonly referred to as rhubarb, is a perennial plant that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 8. The plant prefers cooler temperatures but will tolerate warmer temperatures into the 80s.
How to take care of an ornamental rhubarb plant?
Ornamental rhubarb care starts with choosing the right sunny spot. If you have a spot that retains moisture well and has rich soil, it is likely a good place for planting. If not, find the right sunny spot and be prepared to water regularly.
What kind of plant is a Chinese rhubarb?
When combined with medium and small foliage of other plants, the Chinese rhubarb plant ( Rheum palmatum) makes a statement in your landscape. What is Chinese Rhubarb?
When to water rhubarb in the first year?
Water the rhubarb regularly during the first year to keep the crowns and roots from drying out during the heat of the summer. The first-year root growth is important to establish the plant and keep the rhubarb producing for years to come.