Over wintering rhubarb

[Dynamo]

I inherited a load of rhubarb when I got my lottie and it gave me an excellent crop. I want to move the rhubarb patch though and ideally get the corms or crowns or whatever they are called dug out of the ground this autumn so I can get to work on the piece of ground they are in to dig it over and weed it before winter sets in.

As things stand though, I don't have anywhere ready to put the corms into so I was wondering if I could keep them over winter in a dry place like my garage, or would it be better if I prepared a piece of ground to get them moved straight away.

[Capsid]

I don't think it would be good to store them out of the ground for too long. Do you really have to move them? Can't you wait until the spring? Perhaps you can just weed the ground for now and then dig them up in the spring.

[Dynamo]

The weeds I'm talking about are mainly horestail and couch grass so to get the roots dug out I want the rhubarb crowns out of the way.

I think what I'll do is prepare a temporary bed for the rhubarb and cover it with something to help keep the weather off.

[leicestershirelass]

Hi - I split some of my rhubarb last year and planted into large individual pots, stored them in my potting shed and generally kept an eye on them throughout the winter until ready to plant out.

Glad to say all transplanted successfully, even gave a few away!

[baggyman]

I would say that this is about the best time of year to move Rhubarb.
I was in a similar position to your self a couple of years back and dug mine up. I didn't have the new bed prepared and left them above ground for a month before replacing them. They soon came back and although I wouldn't reccommend leaveing them on open ground, they should be ok in a pot outside.
When you replant make sure the top of the crowd stands proud and not level with the ground, and try not to pick much for the first year. A bit of muck round them will help too!

[Dynamo]

Thanks for the advice folks. As it happens I have some nice big pots lying about that I didn't think I had a use for. Looks like I do now.