Introduction: What is Rhubarb and Why Should You Grow it?
Rhubarb is a perennial plant that grows in the wild, but it is not hard to cultivate and grow. Rhubarb is known for its tart and tangy taste, which makes it a great addition to many desserts.
Rhubarb can be grown from seed or from pieces of rhubarb root that have been collected from the ground in spring. It prefers well-drained soil with a pH level of 5.5-6.0 and full sun exposure without too much water or heat.
When Should You Plant Your Rhubarb?
Rhubarb is a perennial plant that needs to be planted in the spring and summer. It will grow for three to four years before dying back, so it needs to be planted every year if you want it to live longer than four years.
Planting rhubarb too late can result in poor growth, while planting it too early may result in poor harvest due to lack of sunlight and weather conditions.
How to Plant Rhubarb in the Garden?
Rhubarb can be planted in the garden either from seeds or by root division. If you are planting rhubarb from seeds, you should plant them about 2 inches deep and 3 inches apart. You should space the plants about 1 foot apart after they have grown to about 3 feet tall.
Planting rhubarb by root division means digging up your existing rhubarb plants and dividing them into smaller pieces of roots. Plant these smaller pieces of roots 6-8 inches deep, at least 10 feet apart from each other and spaced out 4-5 feet apart from the first piece of roots that you planted.
Which Varieties of Rhubarbs are Best for Your Garden?
There are many varieties of rhubarb, but the most popular commercial varieties are ‘Victoria’, ‘Siberian’, and ‘Swedish’. These three varieties have been bred for their unique qualities, such as their resistance to disease, cold weather, or drought.
Pests
The most common pest found on rhubarb plants is the red-legged fly. These flies lay their eggs on the leaves of the plants and when they hatch, they feed on the leaves, stems, flowers and roots of rhubarb plants which leads to reduced yields and plant death.
How to Harvest Rhubarb
The best way to harvest rhubarb is by cutting the plant at its base and waiting for it to grow back. The plant will die after a few days or weeks depending on the weather conditions.
When you have harvested your rhubarb, you can dry it in the oven or dehydrate it in an oven too. You can also freeze your harvest if you want to use them later on in the year.