How to Grow Rhubarb in the North: Tips For Growing Rhubarb in Cold Regions

For avid gardeners, including baby boomers and seniors, rhubarb is a hardy, perennial plant that can thrive in the north, as long as the basic conditions for healthy growth and propagation are met.    

"The Rhubarb Compendium" offers advice on growing rhubarb.

Four things rhubarb plants need to thrive in cold areas of the north:

Plenty of sunshine:

Even northern areas have a fair amount of sunshine during the winter, late spring and summer months. Ideally, rhubarb plants should be located where there is a lot of sunshine and good drainage. Healthy rhubarb plants are among the first to crown in the early spring and will grow huge stems and leaves in the sun.   

Proper soil conditions:

Rhubarb thrives in sandy loam soil. Even poor soil will grow rhubarb, when properly mulched with compost, leaves, bark, grass clippings, as well as the cut-off leaves of rhubarb plants. Rhubarb leaves can serve as protection from winter frost.  

Fertilizer:

Fertilizing rhubarb in the early spring and late fall, as well as during the summer months, will help the rhubarb plants to thrive. Manure in straw is appropriate for fertilizer. Place it around the rhubarb in the spring or fall and dig it well into the soil.  

Using a commercial fertilizer that is well balanced can be effective, as well. A commercial fertilizer (10-10-10) mixed with water sprayed around the base of the rhubarb plant or on the soil under its leaves during the summer months, will encourage new growth. Do not apply fertilizer directly to the leaves or stems.

Daily or weekly watering helps to increase the diameter of edible rhubarb stems. Rhubarb likes water, but planting rhubarb in a well-drained area is important, as excessive water will make the stalks become soft.  

Propagating rhubarb:

Planting newly propagated rhubarb crowns is usually in the spring or fall, although it is possible to start new plants at any time. Dividing the crowns of an existing plant into four parts, is a good rule of thumb.

Prepare the soil first by digging holes about a foot deep and approximately three to four feet apart. Place fertilizer in the bottom of each hole and mulch each one with compost, leaves, etc. to help retain moisture. Then, plant each section of the rhubarb plant and cover it with good soil. Water the new plants well.       

To allow new rhubarb plants a good start, cut the growing stems back, several times. Do not allow rhubarb plants to grow weak or spindly stems. Cut off any stems that have small leaves, ones that are turning brown and any that are going to seed. While rhubarb seeds will grow new plants, starting new plants from existing ones is usually easier. 

Be aware that while the stems are edible, rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Picking rhubarb while it is young and pink at the root is preferable, as it is tender. Rhubarb is an excellent source of vitamin C. It freezes well and can be bottled preserves, made into jam or rhubarb wine. That must might be another project for baby boomers and seniors.