| Rhubarb
is grown from perennial crowns that can be purchased at your local
Garden Center or greenhouse. A good Rhubarb patch has a life span of 5 to 10
years. The red stems are delicious and great for pies but the
green leaves are poisonous.
The Bed: Add a fresh layer
of rich compost to the top soil, then till or spade the bed to
loosen the soil and work in the compost. Rake level.
How to Grow: Dormant
Rhubarb crowns should be planted as soon as possible after
purchase. Plant crowns 2" - 3" deep spaced 36" to
48" apart in compost rich, well drained soil. Keep the soil
moist. Once the Rhubarb plants start growing they can be mulched.
Flower stalks should be removed when they appear.
Harvesting: Do not harvest
any Rhubarb stems during the first year. The second year a few stems may
be harvested. During the third year stems may be harvested for two
months or so during the spring never harvesting more than half
of each plant.
Available Hybrids - Cultivars: Canada
Red, Valentine, and Victoria.
|
