Learning how to grow rhubarb is one of the easiest ways to get reliable harvests from the kitchen garden.
As part of our Plot to Plate series for Country Living, Raymond Blanc and the gardening team at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons share practical advice on growing, forcing and harvesting rhubarb so it shines both in the ground and on the table.
Read on for everything to know about adding rhubarb to your vegetable patch, as well as the best tips for picking and more…
Why rhubarb is great for beginner gardeners
Rhubarb is a versatile, low-maintenance crop and a wonderful choice for novice vegetable gardeners. It’s really easy to grow and, as a hardy perennial, will return every year.
It thrives equally well in sun and shade, and established plants rarely need watering, except for during our driest spells.
Country Living
The best rhubarb variety to grow
“The ‘Timperley Early’ is the variety we grow at Le Manoir,” explains gardener Nadya Pearson, from Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.
This rhubarb variety responds particularly well to ‘forcing’, a traditional method that involves covering the plants with terracotta pots to exclude light and encourage early growth.
“The resulting stems are soft and tender, extra sweet and intensely pink in colour. When the plants are covered in mid-winter, we can start picking the delicate new stems by March.”
How to grow rhubarb yourself
If you feel inspired yourself, below Nadya shares her top tips for growing rhubarb at home:
Take your pick: When you’re harvesting, choose stems that are at least 30cm long, with a leaf that has just opened.Skip the knife: Never cut or snap the stems as the stump left in the ground is prone to rot.Do the twist: A better technique is to hold the stem at the base and twist it gently, easing it out of the ground.
Country Living
What time of year is best for planting
According to the RHS, the best time to plant rhubarb crowns is winter (November to March), when it’s dormant and ready to settle in before spring growth kicks off.
Planting in late autumn is often recommended so the roots can settle in and get comfy before the cold sets in.
How to make more rhubarb plants
Every few years, lift the plants in winter, split them using a spade and replant the sections.
Common rhubarb pests to watch for
Slugs and snails are partial to rhubarb. The best way to pick them off is to head out after dark with a torch.
Gardening essentials
Acqua Garden Rose Plant ‘Madame Alfred Carriere’ Full Plants in 5 Litre Pots
IGstudio Ceramics Stoneware Ceramic Plant Markers and Labels Set
Filberts of Dorset Gardeners Hand Salve
Squirrel Garden Snips in Leather Pouch
Recycled Leather Seed OrganiserCredit: Country Living Marketplace
Split Waist ApronCredit: Country Living Marketplace
Comments are closed.