Planting Rhubarb Crowns / Asparagus

[harveymt]

I have a couple of questions and thought it easier to do one thread.

Im awaiting delivery of some rhubarb crowns. I understand you dig a hole big enough to to fit the crown and place the crown in it.

Is it ok to plant the crown out in the cold weather we have now or would it be better to plant in a tub and replant in spring? I'm going to put a couple of crowns in my greenhouse regardless and the rest outside.

Secondly, I planted Asparagus seeds earlier this year in individual pots. I didn't think these had taken but some frond-like shoots eventually popped up. I replanted these and was wondering so I need to cut the fronds back now for winter or is it ok just to leave them?

Cheers

[rustylady]

Whereabouts are you Harvey? And how big are your asparagus fronds? They should go brown and die back anyway for the winter, which is when you cut them back.

[harveymt]

I'm in Northern Ireland. The asparagus is planted in my greenhouse. The fronds are about 6 or 7 inches high. I planted the seeds quite late in the season which maybe is why they haven't died back yet?

Any idea about the Rhubarb?

[VirginVegGrower]

I cut my asparagus down in Autumn so cut down now to the ground and they will be fine. Plant your rhubarb now as it is the perfect time, leaving the crown tip just showing. Are your rhubarb roots showing and shooting?

[harveymt]

I'm not sure what they're like. I'm awaiting delivery of them.

They're ok to plant out now even if we get a bad winter? Or would it be better to plant in tubs and put in a sheltered spot or greenhouse?

[rustylady]

Rhubarb is totally hardy, in fact it is often recommended to leave it on the surface to get frosted before planting. I don't think your crowns will be very big, so you won't need to dig a huge hole, but I would definitely plant them outside when they arrive, providing that the ground isn't frozen solid. By the way, if you go to your profile and add your location it will show up on your posts (top right hand side - you will see from my post that I live in Lowestoft). That way we won't have to keep asking where you are.

[VirginVegGrower]

I'm not sure what they're like. I'm awaiting delivery of them.

They're ok to plant out now even if we get a bad winter? Or would it be better to plant in tubs and put in a sheltered spot or greenhouse?

As RL says they are fully hardy. No tubs, no greenhouse needed. Leaving them on top of the soil unplanted is an old and tried/tested method. I would just get them in. Don't forget they need space.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Totally agree with Rustylady