We planted our first rhubarb root in 1977.    My parents had rhubarb in the back yard and I decided we should too.    I could remember rhubarb – strawberry pie, stewed rhubarb with brown sugar, and rhubarb crisp, but I knew very little about growing, maintaining, and harvesting the plant.

I was surprised by how big the rhizome/root became and how much garden space it used up.   We harvested and used some, but how much rhubarb did we need?   Over time, I dug up and divided the rhizome and established new spots.     They also became large and some were moved again.    Now we have about 6 spots in the garden and I can see one will need a new spot again.   We like having rhubarb in the garden, but one or two healthy plants are enough for our needs.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) :

• Rhubarb is a long-lived perennial that has edible stalks.
• The rhizome and the leaves are poisonous.
• In summer, the plants flower, producing a long stalk rising above the leaves.
• The leaves and stalks die back in winter, part of the dormancy cycle.
• In sunny spots, the first growth emerges in early spring.
• We can harvest in late spring and summer when the stalks begin to turn color.

Rhubarb Care:

• Plant in the spring in neutral soil in a sunny spot.
• Crowns should be a couple of inches below the surface.
• Rhubarb benefits from fresh composted material.
• A light fertilizer can be added in spring.
• Adequate water is required to grow healthy stalks.
• Don’t harvest stalks until the second year and that year leave some stalks and leaves on the plant.
• Harvest only the largest ripe stalks.
• In the fall, cut back the withered steams and leaves.     Apply a light mulch for winter protection.
• Rhubarb can be divided every 5 years, especially if it gets to big for the space.

Storing Rhubarb:

• We chop stalks into pieces and freeze them in smaller freezer bags.   We find that a lot of defrosted rhubarb is wasted.
• We enjoy freshly picked rhubarb stewed with a blend of berries or fruit to sweeten the dish.

If you choose to plant rhubarb, pick the right spot first and foremost.    Divide the plant and give a division to a friend (you won’t need multiple plants).   We rhubarbed because we like to eat a dish a few times a year, but if you are not a rhubarb fan, carrots are a good choice!

(1988 photo)