Rhubarb Newbie !

[Florian]

Morning All

Two budded crowns of Autumn Early Timperly have arrived in the post this morning and I am looking forward to getting cracking with them

I have done some reading, including threads here, but any tips and hints would be very much appreciated !

[weekendwellies]

I understand that they like manure dug into the hole where they are to be put. However I grew some from seed, and just put them out in the back garden with the compost that they had grown in around them and they did fine.
Because they are not generally moved, try to get any perennial weeds out when you are preparing the spot for them to be planted into. The leaves tend to smother out most of the weeds but it is just as well to take as much out as you can.
I didnt give mine sufficient room to grow either, when I was putting them in the garden, as I seriously underestimated how big the leaves would get. They still did well for me though, they are pretty tolerant I think, unless I was just lucky.
I have recently moved mine from the back garden onto the allotment and allowed far more space between them.
In summer, if you see a flower stalk appears, cut it off.

[Florian]

I understand that they like manure dug into the hole where they are to be put. However I grew some from seed, and just put them out in the back garden with the compost that they had grown in around them and they did fine.
Because they are not generally moved, try to get any perennial weeds out when you are preparing the spot for them to be planted into. The leaves tend to smother out most of the weeds but it is just as well to take as much out as you can.
I didnt give mine sufficient room to grow either, when I was putting them in the garden, as I seriously underestimated how big the leaves would get. They still did well for me though, they are pretty tolerant I think, unless I was just lucky.
I have recently moved mine from the back garden onto the allotment and allowed far more space between them.
In summer, if you see a flower stalk appears, cut it off.

Thank you WeekendWellies! All useful & much appreciated!

[mcsee]

In summer, if you see a flower stalk appears, cut it off.

The flower will weaken the crown otherwise.

[Florian]

The flower will weaken the crown otherwise.

Lovely, thank you. And really no eating until it's second year?

[northepaul]

I was told 3rd year!
They do love a bucket of manure to bask in over the winter too...(ie chuck it over the crown to protect it) and dont worry if it dies back, it'll be back with a vengence in the spring.

[weekendwellies]

I took a few sticks off mine the first year but left a lot of them on. All it does I believe is enable the leaves to do all the photosynthesis stuff and when it dies back in autumn all the goodness goes back into the plant to make a stronger root system for better plant growth the following year. Taking a few the first year didnt seem to set mine back at all.

[Florian]

I was told 3rd year!
They do love a bucket of manure to bask in over the winter too...(ie chuck it over the crown to protect it) and dont worry if it dies back, it'll be back with a vengence in the spring.

3 ! Blimey, I don't think I could resist for that long

[Florian]

I took a few sticks off mine the first year but left a lot of them on. All it does I believe is enable the leaves to do all the photosynthesis stuff and when it dies back in autumn all the goodness goes back into the plant to make a stronger root system for better plant growth the following year. Taking a few the first year didnt seem to set mine back at all.

Thank you, fingers crossed I can resist!

[motherhen]

I love rhubarb it is so underrated, stew a small amount and use as a garnish with a crispy duck breast.
Husbands Grandfather used to eat stewed rhubarb sandwiches, I think thats taking it a bit far!!
Take care when pulling the stalks as you can pull the growing middle, this will set it back, but it is so tough.

[crazii_c]

i planted my first rhubarb crown last January. i managed to resist pulling any of the stems as this will exhaust the plant in the first year. So im looking forawrd to this spring as it will be my first harvest of rhubarb!

[Currysniffa]

I moved my rhubarb crown back in October, will this mean I have to leave it for a season or will I be able to pick from this plant in the spring?

(sorry for hijacking you thread)

[Polly Fouracre]

I too divided up my rhubarb . I have got eight new plants in all and will take a good few from each plant next spring up until about the middle of June. That will leave plenty of stalks to nourish the plant.

[Florian]

I love rhubarb it is so underrated, stew a small amount and use as a garnish with a crispy duck breast.
Husbands Grandfather used to eat stewed rhubarb sandwiches, I think thats taking it a bit far!!
Take care when pulling the stalks as you can pull the growing middle, this will set it back, but it is so tough.

Ooh, with duck sounds gorgeous ! Thanks for the tip

[Florian]

i planted my first rhubarb crown last January. i managed to resist pulling any of the stems as this will exhaust the plant in the first year. So im looking forawrd to this spring as it will be my first harvest of rhubarb!

Lovely, enjoy!