Download Growing Rhubarb - CSU Extension in El Paso County

Year Round Gardening
By Fredricka Bogardus, Colorado Master Gardener
Growing Rhubarb in the Pikes Peak Region
Cultivating Growing Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) in the backyard garden.
Why: Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a species of plant in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae).
They are herbaceous perennials growing from short, thick rhizomes. They have large leaves that are
somewhat triangular, with long fleshy petioles. The petioles (stems) are a tart, crisp vegetable which
uncooked is similar in texture to celery. There is really only one reason to grow it and that reason is
pie.
Rhubarb is an old world plant, growing wild along the Volga River in Asia. It has been used for
medicinal purposes for thousands of years (it is a mild laxative). It was traded along the Silk Road in
the 1400’s along with such things as cinnamon, opium and saffron. It came into use as a food in the
1600’s, in England when sugar became readily available for cooking.
When the western United States was being settled this plant was known as the pie plant; Laura
Ingalls Wilder refers to the pie plant in her novella “The First Four Years”. This hardy plant was carried
by settlers as they
traveled west so they
could cultivate it when
they arrived at their new
home. It’s thick, reddish
stems are a sweet and
sour delight when cooked
with sugar. They make a
delectable pie filling, or
preserves. Frequently
people combine the
stems with strawberries to
make a combined pie
filling.
How: Rhubarb can be
transplanted (either from
a friend who is dividing a
plant, or a purchased
plant) as soon as the
You can use Rhubarb stems in pies and jam. Photo by F. Bogardus
danger of frost is over. It
takes a few years to really
be productive and you might want to consider planting 2 or 3 plants if you are impatient. It should be
planted in its own space with no other plants around, it does not like competition in the garden.
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However, this need not be a very large space, the plant will grow to about 4 feet wide. It should be a
sunny location with well drained soil. Add organic material if your soil is less than ideal. Water the
plant regularly but do not overwater Rhubarb does not like wet roots. If your soil is a heavy clay you
will probably need to amend significantly to be successful. If this is the case consider building a raised
bed for these plants. The raw leaves are mildly toxic because they contain oxalic acid. However, the
deer in my yard do eat the foliage. A piece of deer netting will keep them off the plant.
Rhubarb, once, established, is a heavy feeder. It needs a lot of nitrogen to grow nice husky stems.
The year you plant it you should not harvest any stalks. Allow the plant to grow with regular fertilizer
applications. In the fall, you will remove the foliage and stems after it freezes and mulch the plant with
a 1” application of composted manure. Unlike many other food plants, you do want to encourage
foliage growth on this plant so nitrogen can be applied fairly liberally. If your plant bolts (sends up a
flowering stalk), prune the flower off immediately. The goal here is to maximize photosynthesis in the
summer months so that a lot of energy is stored in the roots for the next year’s growth. Since you are
not using any flowers or fruit, only the stem, seed production is not desirable
The second year you can harvest stalks for cooking or baking. You can harvest as soon as the plant
is large enough for the stalks to be useful. Remove the stalks with a twisting pull, do not break or cut
them. Remove the leaves and just use the stems. Remove up to one third of the stalks at one time.
The stalks can be harvested up until July 4th, after that allow the plant to grow until the winter freeze. It
will take a couple of years for the plant to develop to full size. The plant should be divided when the
stalks become slender and the center of plant becomes non productive. This will probably be about
every 8 years.
When: Start your plant in spring or summer, the sooner the better.
What’s Needed: Rhubarb, several hybrids are available in our region, Canada Red and Strawberry
are two examples, different cultivars may be more or less red in color. Stem color is not related to
suitability for culinary use. However consumers prefer the redder varieties.
A garden space of about 4 feet by 4 feet for each plant. Fertilizer and organic soil amendments.
When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has research based answers Get
answers to you horticultural questions by calling a Master Gardener Volunteer at 520-7684 or
emailing [email protected]. Volunteers are available to help you Monday through Friday from
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