Botanist Dad

Sometimes we all need a hand in the garden but who do you ask for help? Our Botanist Dad (@thebotanistdad) knows all about plants and growing, and is here to answer your dilemmas

Q Dear Botanist Dad, I love rhubarb so would like to try growing my own. Can you give me any good advice? Caroline Evans, London

A Rhubarb can be grown almost anywhere, and February is the best time to plant it, as long as the ground isn’t frozen. It likes a good soil and partial sunshine, but it’s happy either in a border or a large pot on a patio.

The best way to start is to buy a rhubarb crown, which looks like a root with a big bud on top. You should be able to get these at decent nurseries or garden centres. Don’t bother growing it from seed – it can take four years to get to this stage. Go for an early variety, such as Timperley Early or the brilliantly-named Grandad’s Favourite – these can be used for forcing and are a good all-rounder.

Plant it so that the head is just above the soil, and if the weather is dry, keep it well-watered.

Make sure you water the soil around it, rather than on top of the plant, to stop it from going rotten.

Rhubarb requires patience. You shouldn’t harvest anything at first – let it grow happily, and it will die down at the end of the year. Through winter, it’s a good idea to cover it with straw for protection.

Once it’s settled in the next year, you can harvest a few stalks in April or May by twisting and pulling away from the crown. If you cut it, you’ll leave some stalk, which can rot and damage the plant. And never pick it all at once, always leave a few stalks behind.

Later, in about December, you can try ‘forcing’ it. Put a plastic box, bucket or flowerpot (tape up any holes) over the plant to block out the light. In spring, around March, lift off the cover and, like magic, you should have tender pink stalks to enjoy – just leave a few behind for the plant to continue to grow. Got a question for Botanist Dad? Email him via thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk