How To Grow Rhubarb In South Africa

Below is How To Grow Rhubarb In South Africa

Easy to grow. Plant pieces of rhizome or roots 8 – 10 cm (3 – 4 in.) deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 5°C and 20°C. 

Space plants: 90 cm apart

Harvest in approximately 1 years. You will have a stronger plant if you leave it for about a year before using..

Compatible with (can grow beside): Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, etc)

Young rhubarb

Rhubarb is easy to grow in cool climates and is a perennial.

Rhubarb can be left in the ground and will return a crop for many years, at least 10 to 15 years (We have one that is more than 20 yrs old).

Rhubarb is quite a hardy crop but the crown will rot if in heavy wet clay soils.

It can cope with dry periods. Plant in good soil and remove as many weeds as possible.

Do not disturb rhubarb roots when cultivating around the plant.

Better in cooler climates, but can be grown in shady areas of warm climates.

You can lift and divide rhubarb to make more plants.

It is best to do this when the plant is dormant ( or at least less actively growing) in winter or late autumn.

It is best to wait until a plant is about 5 years old before dividing the crown but it can be moved at any age.

Some of the root structures will be damaged when lifting it, so stalk production will not be so good for a few months.

If you have mild winters and your rhubarb is still producing new stalks, you can continue to pick it.

Although rhubarb is used in desserts and jams, it is considered a vegetable because the stalks are used not the fruit.

Where does rhubarb grow best?

Grow rhubarb in full sun, in rich, slightly moist soil.

In hot regions (USDA hardiness zone 6 and higher), plant rhubarb where it will get some protection from the hot afternoon sun. Rhubarb will not thrive in a soggy location, where it will be susceptible to root rot, one of the few problems rhubarb can encounter.

Where does rhubarb grow in South Africa?

Better in cooler climates, but can be grown in shady areas of warm climates.

You can lift and divide rhubarb to make more plants.

It is best to do this when the plant is dormant ( or at least less actively growing) in winter or late autumn.