Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Planting rhubarb
• Method 2 of 3: Rhubarb Care
• Method 3 of 3: Collecting and Using Rhubarb
• Tips
• Warnings

Ruby red rhubarb is a wonderful perennial plant that will grow for up to 20 years once it takes root. Its tart, fresh taste is sought after by culinary experts when they want to add something special to a cake or other desserts. For rhubarb to grow healthy and strong, it needs to be planted in a sunny place and given a lot of nutrients. Read on to learn how to plant, care for, and harvest rhubarb.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Planting rhubarb

1. 1 Determine if you are in the correct zone. Rhubarb loves to be cool and needs temperatures to drop below 5 ° C to stimulate growth. Check your area to see if rhubarb can be grown in the climate you live in.
   • Rhubarb withers under the influence of the heat of the hot southern summers. If you live in the southern region, then most likely it will be difficult for you to grow this plant.
2. 2 Take rhubarb rhizomes for spring planting. Rhubarb reproduces best from roots (rhizomes), not seeds, as seeds take a very long time to grow and there is no guarantee that they will germinate at all. Go to your local nursery and buy rhubarb root or buy it online.
3. 3 Choose a landing site. Rhubarb should be planted in a sunny location. Look for areas that absorb water well, as rhubarb won't grow well if left in water. To see if water is absorbing well, dig a hole and fill it with water. If water is in the hole, the ground does not absorb water well. If the water is instantly gone, then the soil is ideal for planting rhubarb.
4. 4 Prepare the soil for planting. Pull out weeds and other plants that might interfere with the rhubarb. Dig up the soil to a depth of 50-60 cm and add a lot of compost, rotted manure and or other organic matter to enrich the soil. This step is very important because rhubarb needs a lot of nutrients to grow well.
   • You can also build a raised bed to plant rhubarb and other vegetables. This way you can more easily control soil drainage and weeds.
   • Do not spray the area with herbicides or pesticides; rhubarb should only be planted in clean soil.
   • Do not use chemical fertilizers for application to the soil during the first year of growth; only organic should be used until the second or third year.
5. 5 Dig 4-5 holes, 2-3 cm deep. at a distance of 90-120 cm from each other. Rhubarb plants can grow quite large, so it is important to give a lot of space. Dig holes in the rows.
6. 6 Plant the roots 5 cm deep. Place the roots in the holes and carefully cover them with compost-rich soil. Water the roots after planting.

Method 2 of 3: Rhubarb Care

1. 1 In the spring or fall, lay a layer of mulch over the rhubarb area. Use hay or cow dung to control weeds and keep feeding your rhubarb plants.
2. 2 Keep rhubarb watered throughout the summer. The rhubarb bed should remain moist and well-drained throughout the hot summer. Water whenever the soil starts to feel dry.
3. 3 Remove the placenta before they are too large. The seed bearers prevent the rhubarb plant from growing tall and strong as they use up all the plant's energy.
4. 4 Collect rhubarb weevils. Rhubarb is not prone to attack by many pests, but you may notice a bug called rhubarb weevil on the stems. This bug is light gray in color and about 1-1.5 cm long. Remove the bugs one at a time. Do not use pesticides to destroy them, as this can harm the rhubarb.
5. 5 Fertilize rhubarb every spring. After the first year of growth, use some high-nitrogen fertilizer to promote the germination of rhubarb after winter. Do this as soon as the ground begins to thaw.

Method 3 of 3: Collecting and Using Rhubarb

1. 1 Wait until the second year. Rhubarb takes a year to take root, so you need to wait until the second year to harvest the stems.
2. 2 Collect the stems when they are ripe. They should be 30-45 cm long. Keep harvesting during the summer - the season will be 8-10 weeks. Harvest the rhubarb in late May by cutting off the stems on the ground with a sharp knife. It is best to harvest several times, cutting off several stems from each plant each time. Harvesting allows the other stems to slowly take up the plant's energy.
   • The harvest season is over when the stems begin to thin.
   • Some rhubarb plants will grow up to 20 years after rooting.
3. 3 Store rhubarb in the refrigerator. If you don't plan on using rhubarb right away, store it in an airtight food bag in the refrigerator. It will be stored for a week. You can also cut the rhubarb stalks into pieces and freeze them in a freezer container for several months.
4. 4 Use rhubarb in recipes. Cherry-red rhubarb stalks are commonly used in desserts because they impart a savory, vibrant flavor to pies and pastries. Enjoy homemade rhubarb using it in recipes like this:
   • Make rhubarb pie. This classic rhubarb dish will not disappoint. Rhubarb is prepared with sugar and strawberries as a delicious filling.
   • Crumble rhubarb. This is another rhubarb dessert that is quicker than pie, but no less delicious.
   • Make rhubarb cream. The aroma of rhubarb, mixed with honey and cream, turns into a delicious cream for any dessert.
   • Make rhubarb ice cream. There is nothing more delicious than ice cream made with garden-grown ingredients.

Tips

• Add compost, manure, or fertilizer to the topsoil around the rhubarb to maximize yields. But don't disturb the roots or cover the rhizome. Although you add in rhizomes during planting, adding in mature rhizomes can cause rotting. Soil enrichment is especially important during the following years, as the mature plant depletes the supply of nutrients.
• Thin the rhubarb every 4-5 years if the rows become too dense. You can also divide mature plants to get additional plants. To do this, carefully dig up the plant and use your hands to split the rhizome in two. Make sure each part has at least one bud and adequate roots. Plant one part in the old place and the other in the new one.

Warnings

• Never eat rhubarb leaves or roots. These parts of the plant contain oxalic acid, which is poisonous when consumed.