Moving Rhubarb

[Stroppy scotte]

Hi All
We have just realised that we have planted rhubarb in a lousy spot at the opposite end of the plot to all the other fruits.
Will we do any harm if we move the crowns now?
Need help with this one and don't want to lose the crowns!!
Thanks
Liz

[pigletwillie]

No problem at all ss. A plot neighbour gave me some chunks of his crowns in november, they have been exposed till last week when they finally got planted. They are as hard as nails.

[Mrs Dobby]

We moved 2 of our 7 crowns a week or so ago, and all of them seem to be going great guns, so I shouldnt think you'd have any problems Liz! The way things are looking we could be eating fresh rhubarb in the next 2 months or so!

[JennieAtkinson]

I have tried and tried to reduce my plot at all times of the year, to absolutely no avail. I think its pretty hardy stuff!

[Stroppy scotte]

Many thanks
Will get down there and move them once the rain stops!!They may have floated away by now anyway!!
When will the weather allow healthy exercise and fresh air as well as "time out" from stroppy teenagers!!!

[rustylady]

Best time to move rhubarb is during the winter, in fact if you have a large clump dig it up, split with a sharp spade, leave on the surface to get frosted and then replant the sections. Come spring they will get away really well. Just remember not to harvest from newly planted crowns in the first year.

[Nicos]

Do you actually need to move it ?
They don't need a sunny position like other fruit bushes, and by moving it ,you could be taking up space which could be used for more fruit bushes?

[Stroppy scotte]

Good point Nicos. Thought it would be nice to keep all the fruits together!!
I guess there is really no need---unless t'other half has other plans!!!

[NOG]

Dont forget to add lots of manure or pelleted chicken manure to the hole before you plant them.

[Stroppy scotte]

Thanks Nog.
Will bear that in mind if we do actually move them now.Nicos has got me thinking!! I don't manage that often.

[andrewo]

When you move your crowns, it could be a good time to split them and get more crowns, split and crown so that it at least had 1-2 buds on it - never replant rhubarb in the same soil (it can be done but viruses that wouldn't have done an established crown any harm will and can destroy 'new' crowns). Dig a good sized hole with plenty of manure, then place in situ, back fill and if split crowns, treat them as 'new' crowns e.g. do not harvest them till the third year. To speed up root and crown growth, go the organic way and feed with comfrey or nettle liquid and their own shredded leaves mixed with comfrey leaves.

[roitelet]

How about moving half of the crowns this year and the other half next year. That would mean that you could still harvest from the un-moved crowns so would not be without a crop just a reduced one.

[Stroppy scotte]

Was down the lottie yesterday and could only find 2 of the 4 crowns anyway. Seem to have daffodil bulbs in their place!!!!
Not sure what is going on.