Rhubarb

Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum

Plant out 2 weeks before your last spring frost. Space plants 36 in (91 cm) apart.

Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

When to plant

Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.

See the dates for your garden

Enter your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Every timing on this site turns into a calendar date. Not sure of yours? Your local extension service or a search for “last frost date” and your town will tell you; the app finds them from your location.

Last spring frost
First fall frost

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Optimal Spring Crown Planting

RootRecommended root
  1. Plant out2 weeks before your last spring frost
  2. First harvestspring, early summer; the first crop about 2 years after planting

Optimal Fall Crown Planting

Root
  1. Plant out3 weeks before your first fall frost
  2. First harvestspring, early summer; the first crop about 2 years after planting

Optimal Indoor Seed Start

From seedRecommended from seed
  1. Start indoors11 weeks before your last spring frost
  2. Begin hardening off3 weeks before your last spring frost
  3. Plant out2 weeks before your last spring frost
  4. First harvestspring, early summer; the first crop about 2 years after planting

Growing rhubarb

Spacing in the row
36 in (91 cm)
Between rows
48 in (122 cm)
Planting depth
Seeds: 1/2 inch; Crowns: 2 inches
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, rich, organic, pH balanced loam
Germination
7-21 days (after stratification) at 60-70°F
Harvest season
Spring, Early Summer
Years to first crop
2
Mature height
24-36 inches
Hardy to
USDA zone 3
Life cycle
Perennial

Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep. Plant crowns with buds 2 inches below soil surface.

Watering. Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during establishment and dry periods. Avoid waterlogging.

Neighbours

The companion chart →

Grows well beside

Keep apart from

  • Walnut

Feeding

Seedlings
Light liquid feed once true leaves appear.
Growing
Balanced organic fertilizer or compost in early spring.
How often
Once a year, in early spring.
Note
Rhubarb is a heavy feeder. Amend soil with generous compost or well-rotted manure yearly.

Your rhubarb, planned to the day.

Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.

Add rhubarb to your planting calendar →

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