Growing Rhubarb is Easy

Of everything edible growing in our yard, the rhubarbStalks should never be cut. Always break them off at
requires the least attention and produces fruit for thethe base of the plant by pulling, while bending down
longest amount of time. The tart flavour is delicious inand away from the center. Young new stalks are
many recipes including fruit drinks, canned fruit, muffins,more tender than older, more mature ones but all are
jams and jellies, as well as many desserts includingedible. All the flower spikes growing should be
pies. It is also an excellent choice to add to other fruitsremoved as soon as they appear so the rhubarb does
in any of the recipes already mentioned. Rhubarbnot expend its energy trying to produce seeds. These
grows wild throughout the prairies, flourishing in the coldmay need to be removed more than once. The
climate. Growing rhubarb is easy as it is an extremelyleaves, which contain oxalic acid, are poisonous to man
hardy perennial which can last for decades with veryand animals. These huge leaves make excellent mulch,
little care.as do any weeds that have been cut. They need to
Growing rhubarb starts with chunks of root or crowns,be applied thick enough to smother any new growth,
available in either red or green varieties. The colorand while doing that they supply nutrients to the soil
denotes the color of the stalks that will be produced,around the growing rhubarb plants.
with the red generally being more desirable becauseWhen you start to notice the center of the plants
the flavour is sweeter. Roots obtained from someonedying off, it is time to divide and replant, discarding the
else's established, divided plant, will be in full productiondead center. The easiest way to see what you have
sooner than those just purchased. For the first threeis to dig up the plant and then start dividing. You will be
years, a lot of the energy the plant has should go intoable to see sections of the plant that form naturally
the formation of a strong, healthy root system todivisible clumps. Each new section of crown should
ensure growing a strong, healthy rhubarb plant forhave new shoots in it.
many years. During this time, harvest lightly.We have four large rhubarb plants in the middle of a
The best growing medium for rhubarb is compostedflower bed. Thirteen years ago, there were just two
manure but any composted material will be beneficial.rhubarb plants in the middle of the lawn. It is a good
Since the plant will be there for years make sure tolocation for a flower bed, so each rhubarb plant got
place it in an appropriate location. Dig a hole larger anddivided in half, and a large mound of composted
deeper than the roots to be planted. Set the crownsmanure put in the middle. There are two plants on
just below the surface of the dirt, mixing a little boneeach side of the mound. The mound has a variety of
meal into the soil underneath. Replace some of the soilflowers in it, and the rest of the flowers grow in a
dug out, along with some of the composted manure,large horseshoe shape around the rhubarb plants.
and some sand. Firm in, and keep moist at least untilThere is more fibre in rhubarb than in any other fruit.
new growth appears. It likes the ground around to beWe like rhubarb, and the four plants produce way
worked, but not right next to the roots. It will do best inmore than we can use, so we freeze some for winter
the open where it gets a lot of sun. Plants can be topuse. Watch for our family's favourite recipe. We hope
dressed with composted manure throughout theyou enjoy growing and eating rhubarb as much as we
growing season to encourage the rhubarb to multiplydo.
and be productive.