Grow Bigger Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a hardy perennial vegetable that brings both beauty and flavor to any garden. With its large, crinkled leaves and vibrant red stalks, it’s a garden standout—and when properly cared for, it rewards you with generous harvests year after year. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow bigger, healthier rhubarb plants, this guide will walk you through the best practices for a bumper crop.
1. Start With Strong Roots
Rhubarb thrives from crowns or divisions rather than seeds. Start with well-established crowns, preferably two to three years old. Plant them in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in the fall if you live in a milder climate. Choose disease-free, healthy divisions from a reliable source or divide mature plants from a neighbor’s garden.
To grow big rhubarb, proper spacing is key. Each plant needs about 3 to 4 feet of space in all directions to allow for full growth and airflow. Rhubarb doesn’t like being crowded, and good spacing helps prevent fungal diseases.
2. Choose the Right Location
Rhubarb loves full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Aim for a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0).
If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost, aged manure, and sand to improve texture and drainage. Avoid low-lying spots where water can collect, as rhubarb crowns are prone to rot in overly wet conditions.
3. Feed for Size
To grow big rhubarb stalks, feed your plants well. Before planting, enrich the soil with compost and a balanced organic fertilizer. Each spring, apply a thick layer of compost or well-rotted manure around the base of the plant—but not directly on the crown—to deliver nutrients and retain moisture.
During the growing season, side-dress with compost tea or a low-nitrogen fertilizer every few weeks. Nitrogen encourages leaf growth, but too much can weaken stalks. Look for fertilizers labeled for root vegetables or those with a balanced N-P-K ratio.
4. Water Consistently
Consistent watering is essential for large, tender stalks. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, more during dry spells. Water deeply to encourage deep root systems. Mulching around the plants helps retain soil moisture and keep weeds down.
Avoid overhead watering, which can lead to crown rot. Instead, use a soaker hose or water at the base of the plant.
5. Divide and Conquer
Every 4 to 5 years, divide your rhubarb crowns in early spring or fall. Overcrowded plants produce smaller stalks, so division rejuvenates growth and keeps your patch productive. Use a sharp spade to cut crowns into sections with at least one healthy bud and some roots. Replant divisions in fresh soil with room to grow.
6. Don’t Overharvest
It’s tempting to harvest all the big stalks at once, but overharvesting can weaken the plant. For young plants (under two years old), harvest lightly or not at all. For established plants, pick only about one-third to one-half of the stalks at a time, and always leave a few to keep the plant strong.
Twist and pull stalks rather than cutting them, and discard the toxic leaves in the compost.
Final Thoughts
Big rhubarb doesn’t come from luck—it comes from good gardening practices. Choose a sunny spot, feed and water well, and give your plants the space they need to thrive. With a little patience and care, your rhubarb patch can become a reliable and impressive producer, offering up giant stalks for pies, jams, and sauces each spring.
