How to grow Rhubarb
in the US

Rhubarb, it’s a proper taste of spring, isn’t it? This perennial gem will come back year after year, giving you lovely stalks for crumbles, pies, or whatever takes your fancy. It's not hard to grow, honest.

Sowing

Most folks get started with rhubarb by planting dormant crowns in early spring, once the ground's workable. Just dig a good-sized hole, pop the crown in with the buds facing up, about an inch or two below the soil surface, and give it a good drink. If you’re growing from seed, like with 'Glaskins Perpetual', you'll want to sow those indoors or in a cold frame. Sow them about 1/2 inch deep, giving them a bit of space, roughly 2 inches between each seed. For US gardeners, sow crowns or seeds after your last frost date, generally from February to May in warmer zones (8-10) or April to May in cooler zones (3-4), or even in the fall for some.

Growing on

Once your crowns are in, or your seedlings are big enough to handle and the risk of frost has passed, find them a spot with plenty of sun and good drainage. Rhubarb plants get pretty big, you know, so give each crown at least three feet (about a meter) of space all around. It's a long-term resident on the plot, so pick its spot carefully. You won't need any fancy supports for these sturdy plants.

Looking after it

Rhubarb likes a steady supply of moisture, especially when it's establishing itself, so keep it watered if things get dry. Each spring, before it properly gets going, I like to give mine a good top-dressing of well-rotted compost or manure. It really helps feed the plant and keeps the weeds down too. Deadhead any flower stalks you see to keep the plant's energy focused on producing those lovely stems.

What goes wrong

To be honest, rhubarb is pretty tough, but you do get the odd bother. Slugs are always a problem on my plot, especially on young plants, so keep an eye out. Rhubarb curculio can bore holes in the stalks and crowns, so if you spot any, try to pick them off. Crown rot can happen if the soil's waterlogged, so good drainage is key.

Harvest

Now, this is the important bit: don't harvest in the first year after planting. Let the plant put all its energy into establishing a proper root system. From year two onwards, you can start harvesting in spring, usually from April through June, for about 8 to 10 weeks. Just pull the stalks gently from the base, don't cut them, and whatever you do, NEVER eat the leaves, they're toxic, like I say. You can keep fresh stalks in the fridge for a couple of weeks, or chop 'em up and freeze 'em for later.