When to move rhubarb

[mothhawk]

My rhubarb 'Champagne' is too close to the raspberries and not doing well. Bought it in 2012 and it was a very small root. Last year it grew 4 leaves.

When is the best time to move it, now while it's completely dormant, or when it starts to shoot?

My other rhubarb, bought at the same time, is doing very well but its root was 3 times the size.

[emzgogo]

Best time to move it is winter. So move it now if you can while dormant. Tbh Rhubarb is pritty hardy stuff i got given some last yr in spring. Got in ground same day. It was stressed by the move and died down but in days srarted growing back strong x

[Bill HH]

Yes now would be a good time, use plenty of manure on it (as opposed to custard)

[Aberdeenplotter]

I read somewhere that the crowns and root should be thrown out on the soil surface to allow it to be exposed to frost before replanting. Can't remember where I read it mind.

[mothhawk]

I've just had a goggle, and rhubarb comes from Siberia so I guess you're right about the frost, AP.

Bill, does that mean I can't grow rhubarb and custard? I was looking forward to that, too

I'll go out and move my Siberian plant this afternoon then.

Thanks, all

[Kristen]

I would either not crop, or crop very lightly, the first season after moving, or splitting, a clump.

[WendyC]

I have just moved a rhubarb on my new plot, mainly because it isn't where I want it. I have split it in three: one piece has moved to it's new home, a piece to my plot neighbour and I left a piece to crop this year and then I will get rid of that piece. That way I won't be tempted to crop from the piece I moved. Don't know if yours is big enough to split.

[Kristen]

If big enough to split then potting a bit, for forcing, might be another option.

[lottie dolly]

That what i have heard is done with the roots and crown,weather an old wives tale i do not know,i dug up 3 from the plot i just given up,1 bit is in a large bucket for now,the other 2 on the open ground,all i need is to think where to put them

[WilliamD]

Bill, does that mean I can't grow rhubarb and custard? I was looking forward to that, too

It all kicked off in our local greengrocers the other week. The police made several arrests and a stick of rhubarb was remanded in custard.


I'll get me coat.

[Mr H]

My new plot has two rhubarbs - hurray. But one of them is not where I want to keep it. Is it too late to move it, it's got two very small leaves on it?

[nickdub]

You can move it now OK - you'll not get any crop from it until next year though, unless you use a JCB to dig down far enough to get all the roots out.

[Teds Mum]

Rhubarb is super sturdy and can handle anything. Except swamp conditions, it can rot.
We hacked a big clump apart this time last year and planted up all the bits. I expected some to die but they all grew, even the rubbish little pieces, so now I've got 12 plants in 2 rows!
In summary treat it mean, it's basically an edible weed.