its 8c today, should I...

[cptncrackoff]

Plant my rhubarb, its ok today, but then tomorrow its going downhill, frosty etc, really cold by tuesday/wednesday.

I dont want to plant it, and it just sit there rather than establish!?

Any 'more advanced' growers have any advice?
thanks as always
jon

[Thelma Sanders]

get it in, while you can - it won't mind the cold.

I left some on the surface last winter during the snow (I forgot all about it :blush: ) and it still grew alright when I finally remembered to plant it.

[cptncrackoff]

Ok, will get down there in a bit.

Leave the crowns just below the surface?

thanks

[Thelma Sanders]

cover with just an inch or so of soil - bung some compost/rotted manure/BF&B in the planting hole if you can.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Just make sure the ground conditions are ok before planting. The crowns should really be above ground level but cover with a few inches of compost which can be removed later if you want to protect from frost and winter conditions.

[Thelma Sanders]

Do you think so? I've never done that before

[Aberdeenplotter]

yups works for me.

[Thelma Sanders]

I was intrigued so Goggled a bit and the RHS says

Plant the crown with the growing point at, or just below, the soil surface. On wetter soils planting with the buds just raised out of the soil may help prevent rotting. If planting more than one crown, space plants 1m (3ft) apart, with 1-2m (3-6ft) between rows.

You pays your money and you takes your choice

[cptncrackoff]

Right, i'll take a mixture of all the advice above, i do have a pile of manure/compost rotting down, i'll dig a hole, line with that, keep the crowns near the surface, with maybe a sprinkle of mixture on the top! thanks for the advice, i'll put a pic on my lottie thread later (which will just look like dirt, which is pointless i know!)

[Aberdeenplotter]

My soil is part clay and quite heavy and moisture retentive and there would be a real danger of the crowns rotting off if I planted below soil level. As I said, what I do works for me .

I think it just once again demonstrates there is no right and wrong way when it comes to growing veg.

[cptncrackoff]

My soil is part clay and quite heavy and moisture retentive and there would be a real danger of the crowns rotting off if I planted below soil level. As I said, what I do works for me .

I think it just once again demonstrates there is no right and wrong way when it comes to growing veg.

My soil is quite dark and not too boggy, there is clay deep down, which i found when digging over, when i did my asparagus i felt it was too sticky so i planted it 'on top' after lightly forking over, and the built up a bed of the compost/manure which is very light and free draining.
I have read alot of different advice on rhubarb, lots of things seem to suggest covering the crown too much will increase the risk of rot.

[Aberdeenplotter]

If you have plenty of room, plant a few deep and a few shallow. That will allow you to answer your own questions.

[cptncrackoff]

Yes, i think your right, i have a bit of room, but on the other hand i do have 8 crowns..!

[VirginVegGrower]

Do you think so? I've never done that before

yups works for me.

AP is correct, if you plant the crown below soil level then it can rot. Plant with the root in and the top with shoot poking proud. Rhubarb does not mind the cold either CC. I mulch mine each year too.

[sammy_roser]

Gone into my garden today for a quick clean up and my rhubarb is starting to shoot again! Whats it playing at?