Growing Rhubarb Organically 

Rhubarb is one of those plants that seems to get bigger and better the longer you have it.

We now grow rhubarb in our raised bed here in the Organic Yarden, and I love having a perennial plant that comes back year after year and gives us something delicious to take into the kitchen.

There's something wonderfully old-fashioned about rhubarb.

Give it a good home, keep it watered and fed, and it can reward you with those beautiful pink and green stalks for years.

And then, of course, you have the very important question...

What are we going to make with all this rhubarb?

For me, the answer is usually crumble! 😂

 Why Grow Rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a brilliant addition to a productive garden because once established, it can stay in the same position for many years.

It's:

• Perennial

• Hardy

• Relatively easy to grow

• Perfect for raised beds

• Suitable for larger containers

• An early-season harvest

• Excellent for desserts

• Very productive once established

It also has wonderfully large leaves, so it makes quite a statement in the garden.

Just remember:

⚠️ Rhubarb leaves are not edible.

The stalks are used for cooking, but never eat rhubarb leaves.

Where Should I Grow Rhubarb?

Rhubarb likes a sunny to partially shaded position.

A spot with plenty of sunlight will generally give you strong growth, although rhubarb can tolerate some light shade.

Choose somewhere with:

• Good sunlight

• Fertile soil

• Good drainage

• Plenty of organic matter

• Enough room for the plant to spread

And remember that rhubarb can become quite a substantial plant.

That little crown you plant today can eventually become a rather impressive garden resident!

 Growing Rhubarb in a Raised Bed

Our rhubarb now has a home in the Organic Yarden raised bed, and raised beds can be a great place to grow it.

The improved drainage and rich soil can give rhubarb the conditions it needs to produce strong, healthy growth.

The main thing to remember is to give it plenty of space.

Rhubarb isn't really a plant you want squeezed between your carrots and onions.

Let it have room to grow.

 How Much Space Does Rhubarb Need?

Rhubarb plants can become quite large.

As a general guide, allow around:

90cm–1.2m between plants

Larger varieties may need even more room.

Check the mature size of your particular variety before planting.

It might look like you've given your rhubarb far too much space when you first plant it...

Give it time.

You'll understand why later! 😂

What Soil Does Rhubarb Like?

Rhubarb prefers fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.

Before planting, add plenty of organic matter such as:

• Homemade compost

• Well-rotted manure, if you use it

• Leaf mould

• Other suitable organic matter

Building healthy soil is one of the most important parts of organic gardening.

Rather than relying on lots of fertiliser, give your plants a good foundation by feeding the soil.

When Should I Plant Rhubarb?

Rhubarb crowns are generally planted during the dormant season, usually from autumn through early spring.

Autumn and early winter can be excellent times to plant when the soil isn't frozen or waterlogged.

You can also find potted rhubarb plants in garden centres and nurseries, which can give you more flexibility.

Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or excessively wet.

 How to Plant Rhubarb

Choose a suitable position and prepare the soil with plenty of organic matter.

When planting a rhubarb crown:

1. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots.

2. Add some well-rotted organic matter to the planting area.

3. Position the crown so that the growing point is just above or around soil level.

4. Backfill carefully.

5. Gently firm the soil.

6. Water thoroughly.

Don't bury the crown too deeply.

A buried crown can become prone to rotting.

Watering Rhubarb

Rhubarb likes consistent moisture, particularly during the growing season.

Established plants are fairly robust, but newly planted crowns need regular watering while they settle in.

During dry spells, give the plant a good drink.

Try to water the soil around the base rather than constantly wetting the leaves.

The aim is moist soil with good drainage.

Feeding Rhubarb Organically

Rhubarb is a hungry plant.

Once established, it appreciates regular additions of organic matter.

Each year, add a generous layer of homemade compost or another suitable organic mulch around the plant.

Be careful not to bury the crown itself.

This helps provide nutrients while also improving the soil structure and retaining moisture.

Mulching Rhubarb

Mulching is particularly useful for perennial plants like rhubarb.

A good layer of organic mulch can:

• Suppress weeds

• Retain moisture

• Improve the soil

• Add nutrients as it breaks down

• Protect the root area

Compost makes an excellent mulch.

Just keep it away from the crown.

Rhubarb Flowers

Occasionally, rhubarb will decide it wants to produce a huge flower stalk.

It looks impressive...

But if you're growing rhubarb for the stalks, you generally don't want the plant putting all that energy into flowering.

If a flower stalk appears, remove it at the base.

And don't worry if your rhubarb occasionally decides it has other plans.

Plants, like gardeners, don't always follow the schedule! 😂

When Can You Harvest Rhubarb?

This is where a little patience is important.

Don't harvest newly planted rhubarb heavily during its first year.

The plant needs time to establish a strong root system.

During the following seasons, you can gradually increase harvesting as the plant becomes established.

When harvesting, choose healthy, mature stalks and remove them by pulling gently from the base rather than cutting through the plant.

Don't strip the entire plant.

Always leave plenty of healthy stalks behind so the plant can continue growing and storing energy for the following year.

Remember: Rhubarb Leaves Are Not Edible

This deserves repeating because it's important.

Do not eat rhubarb leaves.

The leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and should not be consumed.

Only the stalks are used as food.

If you have children or pets, make sure they understand that the leaves aren't something to nibble on.

The leaves can, however, simply be left to break down in the garden or added to your compost appropriately.

Caring for Rhubarb After Harvest

Once you've finished harvesting, leave the remaining stalks and leaves to grow.

The plant needs its foliage to photosynthesise and build up energy in the crown for the following year.

Don't keep harvesting simply because there are still stalks available.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your rhubarb is leave it alone and let it grow.

 Pests & Problems

One of the lovely things about rhubarb is that it generally isn't particularly difficult to grow.

However, keep an eye out for:

• Slugs and snails

• Crown rot

• Poor growth

• Flowering

• Yellowing or damaged leaves

Good drainage is particularly important.

If the crown is sitting in constantly wet soil, it can become susceptible to rot.

Healthy soil and good growing conditions are your first line of defence in an organic garden.

Can You Grow Rhubarb in Containers?

Yes, although rhubarb needs a large container because it develops a substantial root system and grows into a large plant.

Choose a deep, wide container with good drainage and fill it with fertile growing medium.

Container-grown rhubarb will need more attention to watering and feeding than plants growing in the ground.

For most gardeners, a raised bed or garden border is probably the easier long-term option if you have the space.

 What Can You Do With Rhubarb?

Now we get to the really important bit!

Rhubarb is incredibly versatile in the kitchen.

You can use it in:

• Rhubarb crumble

• Rhubarb and ginger crumble

• Pies

• Tarts

• Cakes

• Muffins

• Compotes

• Jam

• Chutney

• Desserts

And one of my favourites is rhubarb with orange and ginger.

The sharpness of rhubarb works beautifully with citrus and warming spices.

🍊 Try Our Vegan Rhubarb Crumble > HERE

If you've got a good harvest of rhubarb from the Organic Yarden, why not turn it into a delicious vegan crumble?

It's exactly the sort of recipe I love:

homegrown ingredients + simple cooking + very little fuss.

 Rhubarb Through the Seasons

🌱 Spring

This is when your rhubarb really starts putting on growth.

• Keep the soil moist.

• Add organic compost or mulch.

• Watch for flower stalks.

• Protect young growth from pests where necessary.

☀️ Summer

• Continue watering during dry periods.

• Allow the foliage to grow after harvesting.

• Keep weeds under control.

• Don't over-harvest.

🍂 Autumn

As the weather cools, the leaves will eventually begin to die back.

Remove dead or damaged foliage and keep the area around the plant tidy.

❄️ Winter

Rhubarb is dormant during winter and is very hardy.

This is also a good time for planting new crowns when the ground conditions are suitable.

 Dividing Rhubarb

Established rhubarb plants can eventually become overcrowded.

If your plant is mature and healthy, you can divide the crown during its dormant period.

This can help rejuvenate an older plant and give you new plants for other areas of the garden.

Make sure each division has healthy roots and at least one strong growing point.

Don't divide a young plant unnecessarily.

Growing Rhubarb Organically

Growing rhubarb organically is wonderfully straightforward.

Give it:

Good soil.
Plenty of organic matter.
Enough water.
Room to grow.
And a little patience.

You don't need to spray it with chemicals or constantly fuss over it.

Healthy soil and good growing conditions do a lot of the work for you.

And because rhubarb is perennial, once you've established a happy plant, it can become a reliable part of your garden for years.

 From Our Raised Bed to the Kitchen

Our rhubarb has now become part of our Organic Yarden raised bed, and I love that it isn't something I need to replant every year.

It comes back.

It grows.

And eventually, those lovely stalks make their way from the raised bed into the kitchen.

That's one of the things I love most about growing perennial food.

You do the work once, look after the plant, and then nature keeps giving you something back.

And when you've got a pile of freshly picked rhubarb sitting on the kitchen counter...

you know exactly what time it is.

It's crumble time! 

🌿 More Organic Growing Guides

Want to grow more of your own food?

Explore our Organic Yarden Growing Guides for practical, beginner-friendly advice on growing fruit, vegetables and herbs organically.

Whether you're growing in raised beds, containers, pots or a traditional garden, there's always something you can grow.

You don't need a huge garden to grow your own food.

You just need somewhere to start. 🌱