Plant rhubarb

The first picking of those tasty red stems is such a treat

Rhubarb is a useful crop and easy to grow. Perhaps it’s too easy and that’s why it’s often neglected and pushed to the margins of the garden, often against a hedge. Many of us inherit an old clump of rhubarb but, having started a new garden, I had to invest in some plants. The advantage of this is that I can choose the variety I grow.

Rhubarb may be easy but it’s a large plant and I want the tastiest, reddest stems from my space.

Apart from variations in colour and taste, some varieties can be picked later than others. You may disagree, but as soon as strawberries are ready I’ve had my fill of rhubarb and have frozen enough for later, so I prefer to grow early varieties – the first picking is such a treat.

Rhubarb needs lots of moisture, one reason why it’s not easy to grow in a pot. It also needs good drainage and is a heavy feeder, so any site should be well dug and lots of organic ma er, including manure, added. A site in full sun is best.

Once planted the crowns should be mulched every spring. Plants can be bought po ed or as bare-root crowns, or if you have large clumps now’s the time to lift and divide these. Discard the central, woody parts of the old crown and cut away the outer parts, complete with healthy growths. These often have few fibrous roots but, providing they have healthy, large buds, they will grow.