Moving rhubarb

[leicestershirelass]

I have been offered some rhubarb crowns that are several years old - my neighbours have more than they want/need.

Any tips to successfully transplant them would be appreciated.

[Tam]

Rhubarb is easily transplanted. You could dig some good compost in the area you intend planting them as rhubarb appreciates rich soil. Early spring you could give it a top dressing of well rotted manure. Treat it well and it will go on for years

[alex-adam]

If you have suitable space next to your compost bin for the rhubarb it will love it there with its little feet in the rich soil around the base of the heap.

Tam's advice above is spot-on, my rhubarb has been going for 20 years, just a bit of thinning out from time to time and plenty of compost in the early spring.

[leicestershirelass]

Thanks for advice - should we dig the compost in now and plant the rhubarb at the same time OR compost the soil now and plant rhubarb in the spring?

Unfortunately we can't plant near compost bins as they are in a corner next to a hedge, but will hopefully have plenty of compost as several bins on the go!

[hamamelis]

I'm in a similar situation here- only it's my rhubarb I'm moving from the home jungle to the allotment. I cleared a space near the compost bins a few weeks ago- but I've been thinking- I did try and move a rhubarb to there last year when I got the lottie- I accidently dug it up- and it just put a single little leaf out in the new spot before giving up; is this likely to mean there was a problem in the soil, or just that I damaged the plant too much? Also, I'm suspicious that bit's going to be a bit of a frost pocket, as it's at the bottom of a slope, and is one of the last places on the plot to get light.

I have another little bed with better light, but probably much lower fertility- would that be better? If so, any suggestions for what would be a good, preferably perma, plant to go near the bins, in a slightly cold and out-the-way corner?
Thanks for any advice, I just don't want to lose my nice rhubarb.

[alex-adam]

Now that we've all grown our rhubarb - Breakfast treat: Stewed rhubarb, teaspoon of ginger cordial, dollop of creme fraise, Oooooh !!

a-a

[Aberdeenplotter]

My understanding and what I have always followed is to throw the crowns down and leave them overwinter for the frosts to get a hold of and then to plant up in the springtime. They survive so it can't be that wrong but is it right?

[Tam]

I should prepare the soil and plant the crowns now - don't plant them too deeply. a covering of an inch or two is about right. Once they are in ( about three feet apart) give them a mulch over the top and this will help to repress the weeds, whilst improving the soil

[Tam]

Rhubarb performs better in good light, although I have seen some doing all right in a fairly shady spot, which was also quite damp. I seem to remember reading, some time ago, that cottages were prevented from having rising damp by planting loads of rhubarb close by.

[VirginVegGrower]

My understanding and what I have always followed is to throw the crowns down and leave them overwinter for the frosts to get a hold of and then to plant up in the springtime. They survive so it can't be that wrong but is it right?

Never heard of this AP but I assume they are sage words from an old boy somewhere hey? If it works - carry on.

[taff]

I'm in a similar situation here- only it's my rhubarb I'm moving from the home jungle to the allotment. I cleared a space near the compost bins a few weeks ago- but I've been thinking- I did try and move a rhubarb to there last year when I got the lottie- I accidently dug it up- and it just put a single little leaf out in the new spot before giving up; is this likely to mean there was a problem in the soil, or just that I damaged the plant too much? Also, I'm suspicious that bit's going to be a bit of a frost pocket, as it's at the bottom of a slope, and is one of the last places on the plot to get light.

I have another little bed with better light, but probably much lower fertility- would that be better? If so, any suggestions for what would be a good, preferably perma, plant to go near the bins, in a slightly cold and out-the-way corner?
Thanks for any advice, I just don't want to lose my nice rhubarb.

doesn't matter it's a frost pocket, the leaves should have died down a bit before that becomes a problem Whatever you do, don't pull all the leaves off and leave just a crown [ i did that, it got waterlogged over winter and died]. Let them die by themselves.
Move it now, or move it at the end of February or something. Personally, I'd choose end of feb to move it.

[snohare]

When I was working at a local estate near Aboyne AP, we used to lift the crowns at this time of year, and leave them out specifically so they would get frosted. This my boss said was because it encouraged them to grow more stems the following season, and killed off any disease. Worked like a charm, we always got good crops no problem.
As far as putting them somewhere less shady but with poorer soil is concerned, I'd say don't ! They are gross feeders - they need more nutrients and moisture than normal plants - and with such a large leaf area, will be more vulnerable to moisture loss from hot sunshine or wind at the best of times, never mind in poor soil. They do like sunshine of course, but they absolutely must have damp, cool feet. Stick them in amongst lots of FYM, behind a low wall or in a corner where they are out of the way, and as long as there is not a mild, very wet winter, they will thrive.

[hamamelis]

Ok, cheers- I was mainly concerned because the previous one I'd stuck there died, and my old 70s veg book goes on a little about frost pockets beng the root of all evil.

I'll plant it by the bins, and maybe get it a friend, as it's a decent size bed, and I do love me rhubarb crumble. Just need to leave it to die down a bit first- it's still green and active as anything!

[greenjelly]

In my limited experience Rhubarb is really tough! 2 years ago whilst I still had my allotment I needed to move a huge congested clump of Rhubard which had been in situ since the 1980's several allotment holders before me. There was so much and some looked dead anyway so I slung the roots on the compost heap. They spent all winter uncovered but for a thick layer of frost over them for most of the winter months. To my amazement the roots started to sprout in the following year and once I had replanted them they produced some of the best Rhubarb we'd ever tasted and so much of it we had to give it away. I would say move your rhubarb now put some mulch over the top with some good compost dug in around their feet and dont worry, it will be fine.

Greenjelly

[pigletwillie]

I have just bought tree chunks of crown home from my allotment. They have been planted 3 foot apart in an area of the garden that gets some sun, heavilly fed with home made compost and dressed over with a much then watered in very well.

Make sure there are no air pockets under the roots, the ground is not water logged for long periods and leave them be and you will be fine.