Rhubarb (yes I know it's a veg.....sorry)

[bluemoon]

On every garden and allotment plot that I've ever had I've always inherited the rhubarb. Actually I did on this one too, but it was in such a stupid place that it had to go and the plot was so overgrown I couldn't consider moving it. Anyway, yesterday I was at the local GC and they had crowns, so I bought one of each variety (Victoria and Champagne), but it now occurs to me that I've never planted it before, so what do I do?

[burnie]

The old tale was to leave it on the surface till a frost has nipped it , then plant just showing the crown and mulch with loads of well rotted compost or better still farm yard manure.Personally I never have waited for the frost bit.

[FionaH]

Whens the best time to move rhubarb? Mines right where I need a path to get at beds

[bluemoon]

Thanks, Burnie. I had a vague recollection of my grandad, rhubarb and copious quantities of manure, but wasn't sure if this was true as the manure pile was usually situated beside the rhubarb anyway.

Fiona, I visited two plant nurseries and one garden centre yesterday in a quest for overwintering onions, all had rhubarb - though only one had the onions - so I assume this is the right time of year to move it.

[helly]

Hi I have a overgrown rhubarb and want to split it. Do I just use the spade method ,I am so nervous about doing this but its starting to overgrow my veg beds. Also when I get to spliting and replanting it will it produce next year as I want to pass some onto my mum for her to grow.
cheers Helen

[burnie]

Tradition(sorry I'm an old git at heart) tells you not to harvest the first year,I moved mine this time last year and haven't picked any.Plants look really well,I don't know if this was luck or if picking a bit would have hurt.If your plants look good next year pick a bit but don't over do it.
Splitting , mine fell apart by hand,but it was a fairly new piece that had only been in the ground for a couple of years.I moved it because it clearly wasn't happy where I put it.

[FionaH]

Hi I have a overgrown rhubarb and want to split it. Do I just use the spade method
cheers Helen

When I was given mine my nieghbour just split it with a spade.

Thanks Bluemoon will move it tomorrow then

[helly]

thanks for the info , will give it ago 2mor,
cheers H