Growing Rhubarb: The Easy, Rewarding Crop for Every Garden
Rhubarb: A Guide to Growing This Classic Garden Favourite
Rhubarb is a rewarding perennial that thrives in UK gardens, producing tart, fleshy stalks with minimal effort. It provides a generous harvest year after year and is perfect for crumbles, jams, and savoury dishes. With the right care, this plant can be a long-lasting addition to any vegetable patch.
Why Grow Rhubarb?
This crop is one of the easiest to grow, making it ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Once established, it needs little attention beyond occasional feeding and harvesting. It’s also among the first crops to emerge in spring, offering fresh produce when little else is available.
Best Growing Conditions
This plant thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. It prefers a sunny spot but tolerates some shade. A neutral to slightly acidic soil pH (6.0–6.8) is ideal. Good drainage is essential, as it dislikes sitting in waterlogged conditions.
Temperature plays a key role in its growth. A period of winter chill encourages strong stalks, while mild to warm conditions (15–25°C) in spring and summer promote healthy development.
Planting and Care
For the best results, plant crowns rather than seeds in autumn or early spring. Space them at least 75cm apart to allow room for large leaves. Keep the area weed-free and well-watered, avoiding harvest in the first year to allow the plant to establish strong roots.
To maintain plant health, water during dry spells and apply a thick mulch of compost in autumn. Cutting back flower stalks ensures energy is directed toward producing strong stems. Every five years, lift and divide crowns to prevent overcrowding.
Harvesting and Storage
Harvesting begins in spring, usually from April to July. Pull stalks sharply to one side rather than cutting them to encourage new growth. Never remove all the stems at once—leave at least a third to sustain the plant. The leaves should be discarded, as they contain oxalic acid, which is toxic.
Fresh stalks can be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen for longer use.
Common Issues and Solutions
This plant is generally trouble-free, but crown rot can occur in poorly drained soil. Prevent this by ensuring good drainage and avoiding overwatering. Slugs and snails may target young shoots, but they rarely cause major damage.
Thin or weak stalks are usually due to poor nutrition or overcrowding. Applying a balanced fertiliser in spring and dividing older plants can help reinvigorate growth.
Choosing the Best Varieties
Selecting the right variety ensures strong growth, high yields, and excellent flavour. With proper care, you can enjoy homegrown stalks for many years to come.
Discover the Best Rhubarb Varieties for Your Garden
Following is a list of the best rhubarb varieties to grow in the UK, ensuring a reliable and productive crop.
Rhubarb Fulton's Strawberry Surprise
Fulton’s Strawberry Surprise is a stunning rhubarb variety that brings both beauty and flavour to your garden. Its bright red stems stand out brilliantly against the large green leaves, making it a true showstopper. This vigorous cultivar produces sweet, tender stalks perfect for pies and crumbles, while being remarkably easy to grow in most UK gardens. Read More
Rhubarb Raspberry Red
Raspberry Red rhubarb stands out with its vibrant crimson stalks and impressive size, making it a garden favourite. This reliable variety produces sweet, tender stems perfect for crumbles, pies, and jams. Easy to grow and incredibly hardy, it delivers abundant harvests year after year, bringing both ornamental appeal and delicious flavour to your garden. Read More
Rhubarb Stockbridge Arrow
Stockbridge Arrow rhubarb delivers exceptional flavour and impressive straight stems that are perfect for both kitchen gardens and allotments. This reliable variety produces long, tender stalks with a delicate green-pink colouring. Its vigorous growth and early cropping habit make it a favourite among gardeners seeking top-quality rhubarb for cooking and preserving. Read More
Rhubarb Timperley Early
Timperley Early rhubarb brings the joy of fresh stems weeks before other varieties, making it a top choice for eager gardeners. This reliable cultivar produces tender, pink-red stalks with excellent flavour from early spring onwards. Its vigorous growth and frost-hardy nature make it perfect for northern gardens and early-season harvests. Read More
Rhubarb Victoria
Victoria rhubarb is a beloved heritage variety that has graced British gardens since Victorian times. Its thick, tender stems offer the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. This reliable performer delivers abundant harvests of green-tinged red stalks that excel in pies, crumbles, and preserves, making it a classic choice for every garden. Read More