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Rhubarb is a staple for kitchen gardens, known for its versatility in sweet and savoury dishes. Its tart stalks can enhance crumbles, porridge, and even drinks like cordials. Growing rhubarb not only enriches the garden but also boosts culinary options with fresh, nutritious produce. For urban and suburban dwellers, kitchen gardening brings fresh produce closer to home, meeting the increasing need for self-sufficiency in limited spaces.
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Rhubarb is incredibly easy to grow, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. It thrives in various environments and requires minimal care, yet yields abundant harvests year after year. With small urban spaces demanding efficient gardening practices, rhubarb fits perfectly, providing a productive crop with minimal space and effort.
How To Grow Rhubarb
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Selecting The Right Location
Rhubarb thrives in open, sunny, or partially shaded areas. The soil should be rich, moist, and well-prepared with plenty of organic matter, such as manure or compost. Though it can be grown in containers, planting in the ground usually yields better results.
Planting Rhubarb
The best method to plant rhubarb is by using crowns, which are offsets from vigorous parent plants. These should be planted in late autumn or early spring, spaced at least 90cm apart to allow for growth. For those preferring to grow from seed, sow them in spring, thinning the seedlings twice to ensure strong plants.
Caring For Rhubarb
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Rhubarb is a low-maintenance plant. Once established, it can thrive for around 10 years. To maintain healthy growth, apply mulch annually in autumn using compost or well-rotted manure. This not only suppresses weeds but also retains soil moisture and boosts fertility. A liquid feed in spring further encourages robust growth.
Forcing Rhubarb For Early Harvest
To enjoy rhubarb earlier in the season, forcing is key. Cover the crowns in early winter to block light, encouraging earlier and sweeter stalks. You can use a bin, bucket, or traditional forcer. For even earlier crops, lift and pot the crowns indoors after chilling them for two weeks, then cover them in a cool spot.
Propagating Rhubarb
Propagating rhubarb by dividing crowns is straightforward. Dig up the existing crown, split it into sections with 1-3 buds each, and replant them in fertile soil. Ensure each section has a good root system. Avoid harvesting from new divisions in their first year to allow them to establish.
Harvesting Rhubarb
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Harvesting rhubarb is simple. When the stalks are long enough (30-60cm), pull and twist them from the base. This method stimulates new growth. It's best to avoid harvesting in the first year to allow the plant to strengthen. Established plants can be harvested from spring, with shorter, sweeter stalks ready as early as late winter.
Growing rhubarb is a rewarding experience, providing a plentiful harvest with minimal effort. Its adaptability makes it suitable for both large gardens and compact urban spaces. With proper care and timely harvests, rhubarb can be a perennial favourite, enhancing a wide array of dishes year after year.
