Growing rhubarb

Growing rhubarb

What to do

• Choose a spot in fertile, free-draining soil and partial shade
• Start digging your soil in autumn. Work in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost before you plant, as rhubarb will not tolerate disturbance once established.
• Before planting, dig a hole a little bit wider than the plant. The depth should be such that the top of the plant is at, or just below the soil surface.
• Gently firm the surrounding soil and water well.
• Spacing between plants should be about 75cm (30in) for smaller varieties, and up to 120cm (48in) for larger varieties.
• After the leaves have died down, spread a new layer of compost around the plant to conserve water and suppress weeds.
• Dead-head flowers which may appear in the early spring as new rhubarb stalks emerge.
• Rhubarb plants should be divided every five or six years during late winter.