| Growing Rhubarb | | | | second or third year after planting. Rhubarb can be |
| Rhubarb is a vegetable with a unique taste that makes | | | | picked in the spring as soon as the stalks are large |
| it also a favourite when cooked with added sugar and | | | | enough to harvest in sufficient quantity for the recipe |
| put into pies and desserts. It originated in Asia over | | | | you are planning to use. |
| 2,000 years ago; initially cultivated for its medicinal | | | | Soil Preparation |
| qualities; it was not until the 18th century that rhubarb | | | | Before planting, select a location where they will not be |
| was grown for culinary purposes in Britain. Rhubarb is | | | | disturbed for years and where they will not be in the |
| often commonly mistaken to be a fruit but rhubarb is | | | | way when tilling your garden in future years. Rhubarb |
| actually a close relative of garden sorrel, and is | | | | can be planted in partial shade, but will do much better |
| therefore a member of the vegetable family. Rhubarb | | | | in full sun. |
| is rich in vitamin C and dietary fibre. Rhubarb leaves | | | | General Care |
| grow from the ground in early spring. In some countries, | | | | Being easy to grow, Rhubarb will thrive in most garden |
| the leaves can grow up to a foot or more in width and | | | | soils. But to ensure that better tasting, larger cropping |
| length and the plant may grow to a height of several | | | | should be your rewards; you must add plenty of |
| feet. The blade or green leaves of the plant are the | | | | manure and compost to the soil each year. Use a liquid |
| part that is poisonous. They contain high concentrations | | | | feed during the growing season at two-week intervals |
| of oxalic acid crystals, which can cause serious | | | | for well-established plants, to promote leaf and stalk |
| problems when eaten. These crystals can cause the | | | | growth. Make sure ample water is in the soil during the |
| tongue and throat to swell, preventing breathing. The | | | | harvest period. After harvest, don't forget to provide |
| edible petioles (stalks) can grow up to 18 in. (45cm) | | | | water to keep your plants healthy all year long. Healthy |
| long, 1 to 2 in. (25mm-50mm) in diameter, generally | | | | Rhubarb will grow and spread. Separate or thin the |
| somewhat hemispherical in cross section. These | | | | plants every five years or sooner if the plants become |
| petioles are cut and used in pies, jams, jellies, sauces | | | | crowded. |
| and juice. Rhubarb rhizomes and the crown persist for | | | | Disease Rhubarb is long lived and suffers from very |
| many years. | | | | few diseases. |
| | | | Harvesting |
| While seeds can be sown, rhubarb is usually planted in | | | | The stalks can be harvested regardless of length. |
| roots or crown form. | | | | When harvesting, grasp a stalk firmly close to the |
| Planting | | | | ground. Twist and pull the stalk and it should break free |
| A piece of root with at least one bud or root is planted | | | | of the plant. While harvesting, pick the largest stalks |
| with the crown just at soil level. Plant outdoors as soon | | | | first. Don't let them get too big, as some of the flavour |
| as the soil can be worked. Rhubarb is hardy and will | | | | will be lost. Rhubarb stalks will remain sweet and |
| survive late spring frosts. If there is a really hard frost, | | | | flavoursome until the warm summer weather begins |
| the leaves and stalk could be damaged, but new ones | | | | and the stalks become less sweet. |
| will soon replace those that are damaged. | | | | Forcing |
| Space two or three crowns of Rhubarb two to three | | | | Rhubarb can be forced into growing earlier. While the |
| feet apart and they will spread. Rhubarb tolerates a | | | | ground has not warmed up sufficiently for the plant to |
| little crowding, but the stalks and leaves will grow | | | | really get growing, cover a couple of plants with a five |
| bigger and healthier if you allow them plenty of space. | | | | gallon bucket, preferably black. You can also use a |
| A few plants are all you will need for a home garden. | | | | thick layer of straw or leaf mulch. The plants will begin |
| Days to Maturity It is important to allow the plant to | | | | growing earlier and you can harvest them days or |
| become well established before you begin to harvest | | | | weeks before you would normally do. |
| the sticks; there they should not be taken until their | | | | |