How to plant rhubarb crowns

Planting rhubarb is one of the most productive and easy-to grow perennial food plants. Most people grow rhubarb from a ‘crown’, which is the part of the plant under the ground and consists of a rhizome and a bud. Rhubarb can also be grown from seed but this will take longer. Growing from a crown gives you a good head start.

Planting rhubarb crowns is easy if you follow these steps:

1. Dig in some compost, aged manure and blood and bone just prior to planting. You want a rich, free-draining soil to successfully grow rhubarb.
2. Dig a hole about 30cm deep and backfill so that the rhubarb crown sits just below soil level. Place the crown on the mound to check the correct height.
3. Backfill and firm down soil around the crown. Be careful to not overwater as the crown should not be wet whilst dormant.
4. Mulch, leaving the top of the crown clear to develop and grow. Place a stake in position to help with locating your plants.

You will harvest your ripe stems in the second year of growth, when the leaf is fully expanded, a tell-tale sign to harvest the tastiest rhubarb stems. Never harvest more than half the total stems. Grasp each stem near the base and jerk quickly to the side in a slightly downward motion for a clean break to keep the heal intact. Ripping outer stems from the plant, encourages it to grow more.