Ashleigh Smith + photo

Ashleigh Smith

Apr 25
2 min read
bubble 0

Rhubarb is one plant that many people have had at least once is one plant that many people have had at least once, thanks to their grandmothers. But did you know it has a wide variety of uses? You can add it to anything from a drink to a dessert, salad, sauces, salsas, and cocktails. While my grandmother's strawberry rhubarb pie was delicious, I have come to like rhubarb in many other things.

Unlike many plants in your garden, rhubarb is a perennial that comes back year after year. It also does well in climates that experience a dormant period. When planning your garden, select a location where the rhubarb can be left with minimal disruption as you prepare your garden each spring.

To plant, select a full sun location with well-draining soil. After planting rhubarb, wait 1-2 years to harvest to allow your plant to become well-established. You can expect your rhubarb to reach about 3 feet in size. To promote healthy growth, plan on digging or dividing your plants every 3-4 years to encourage more growth.

How to Harvest Rhubarb:

To harvest rhubarb, simply cut, or pull and twist the red stalks rising from the soil. Immediately use a knife to remove the leaves of your harvested stalks. The leaves of rhubarb are not edible as they are toxic with a natural irritating chemical. If you will not use the stalks immediately, wrap them in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate them. For long-term storage, cut into sections and freeze in an airtight bag. This method will last about a year.

Our Recommended Picks

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0 Comments

No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation

  1. Questions to Ask Yourself For A Better Gardennull

    Questions to Ask Yourself For A Better Garden

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Planning a garden each year can feel very daunting. With so many possibilities, it can be challenging to know what to plant and where. But the key to success lies in careful review of the previous year and asking the right que...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-04-08
    7 min read
    bubble 0
  2. Why Your Seeds Aren’t Sprouting: Germination Tips and Troubleshooting GuideA seedling emerges from the ground

    Why Your Seeds Aren’t Sprouting: Germination Tips and Troubleshooting Guide

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Thousands of people every year flock to garden centers nationwide to buy young seedling plugs. While it is incredibly convenient to buy seedlings ready to be planted in the garden, starting seeds at home has some significant a...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-04-02
    14 min read
    bubble 0
  3. Fight Rising Grocery Prices with Victory Gardensbox of fresh vegetables in the garden

    Fight Rising Grocery Prices with Victory Gardens

    Throughout history, we have seen many reasons for failures in the supply chain when producing and shipping food crops. At the forefront of these historical losses, we have seen pest and disease outbreaks, weather fluctuations, poor growing practices, l...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-04-02
    8 min read
    bubble 6
  4. April Planting Guide by Zonecucumber seedlings

    April Planting Guide by Zone

    Written By Lara Wadsworth They say that April showers bring May flowers. I say that April seed sowing brings September harvesting! It's not quite as quippy, but it's still true. For much of the country, April is just the beginning of gardening season, ...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-03-24
    13 min read
    bubble 0