| Growing rhubarbs | | | | Every rhubarb plant requires at least an inch of water |
| Cultivating rhubarb is an easy and tax less activity. | | | | per week. The mulch should contain the compost or |
| Planting it adds to your garden's variety and looks. Only | | | | grass clippings. The seed stalks should be removed |
| a few basic steps have to be followed to grow this | | | | when they become visible above the ground. If this is |
| plant. | | | | not done, the stalks will not erupt. |
| Location and season | | | | During the fall season the top layer of the plant firmly |
| The place where you wish to plant the rhubarb should | | | | embedded in the soil should be covered with manure |
| be in direct exposure of lots of sunlight. The perfect | | | | when the plants have dried up which should be |
| time to plant them is in the early spring. However, in | | | | repeated in the spring season. This procedure should |
| milder climates they can be cultivated in the fall as well. | | | | be done repeatedly and regularly. |
| The soil chosen should not be of heavy clay and the | | | | Harvesting |
| ideal pH is 6-6.8. the soil should be well irrigated and | | | | The rhubarbs should be harvested only during the first |
| drained. | | | | year of growth. The flower stalks should be removed |
| Preparation and planting | | | | as regularly as possible and the leaf stalks can be |
| The plants are easily available in the nurseries. | | | | obtained during the second year. Care should be taken |
| However they will be sold in crowns or divisions only. | | | | to remove only the stalks as long as your fingers and |
| The rhubarbs are composed of a group of roots and | | | | the rest should be left behind. You can collect all of |
| each of them holds a bud. They should be purchased | | | | them in the third year. |
| according to the requirement and stored in a cool | | | | Infection and disease |
| place until taken for planting. | | | | Mulch is the perfect protection against the weeds. It |
| Before you begin the planting of rhubarbs, remember | | | | also protects against the rhubarb curculio and potato |
| to not use the area for growing any other vegetables. | | | | stem borer. Certain medications and insecticides can |
| The soil bed should be made permanent so that | | | | be used to prevent from spread of infection. |
| successive tilling of the soil is not required. A big hole | | | | General considerations |
| should be dug and filled with manure/ organic matter. | | | | If a container is used for growing the plants it should |
| Create a trench about 2 feet across and 2 feet deep. | | | | measure about 24 inches deep and 24 inches wide. |
| It should be filled partially with decayed manure and | | | | The drainage should be good and a mixture of half |
| alternatively mixed with compost and soil. | | | | and half compost and soil should be used to plant the |
| Every plant requires a space of at least 3 feet. The | | | | rhubarbs. Regular watering and fertilizer usage for |
| soil should be shaped like a mound. The rhubarb crown | | | | every 2 weeks is important. |
| should be planted in the soil and the roots should be | | | | Never eat the roots and the leaves of rhubarb and |
| arranged all around it and over the mound. The buds | | | | only the leaf stalks are edible. |
| should be covered up completely with the remaining | | | | Growing rhubarbs is a fun filled task and anybody can |
| soil so that they are at least 2 inches deep. Toughen | | | | do it easily. With lots of hard work and management, |
| up the soil. | | | | one can easily get a good growth of the plants. |
| Caring for the plants | | | | |