Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Rural Living Rhubarb bed tips?

Anyone got rhubarb down pat? Care to share any suggestions? Looking to start some up and need to get rocking.

They like sun, lots of water, pretty rich soil and extra compost. I try to top dress every year with an inch or so of good compost. No harvest first year unless it is very "vigorous". After that, I get the first picking about the end of April, then a couple more pickings but stop at the start of August and let it build strength for next year. Pull the stocks off the plant, don't leave stubs on the plant.
Easy to grow! Don't forget the water.

That pretty much sums it up. Only thing I'll ad that top-dressing them in the fall not only protects them from winter freezing temps but give them a boost in the spring. Have long used about 4" of chicken coop litter to do this. Note that most straw is sprayed with a fungicide to prevent mold/mildew. Found a local source for non-sprayed/organic straw for the coop and garden mulch. They're up now and there should be a fresh rhubarb crisp with melting vanilla i/c in the near future....

As above....

Warm, sunny south exposure, plenty of water, plenty of rich soil. I have *rich soil producers* and works well.

Harvest regularly. Pull the stalks, no need to cut. Leaves are toxic.

I make pie, cake, chop and boil for a sort of pudding. Great on vanilla ice cream.

Sounds like my spot might work, full sun exposure. Will need to irrigate a lot due to climate here. Okay, thanks for input guys.