The greenish-red stalks of this heirloom perennial have a slight flavour of red wine, and are never tough or stringy. Victoria is... Read More
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The greenish-red stalks of this heirloom perennial have a slight flavour of red wine, and are never tough or stringy. Victoria is delicious in pies and cobblers. The stalks are 25-30cm (10-12") long, under dark green, ruffled leaves. Sow seeds in spring, but wait 12-18 months before harvesting. Choose a sunny site, and divide every four years. Rhubarb is perfect for the permaculture vegetable garden that focuses on perennial plants that can be harvested over many years.
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Latin
Latin
Rheum rhabarbarum
Family: Polygonaceae
Difficulty
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: Hardy to Zone 2
Timing
Timing
Sow indoors in early spring and transplant or direct sow about 8 weeks after the last frost date where plants are to grow permanently. Optimal soil temperature: 16-25°C (60-75°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Starting
Starting
Sow 2cm (1″) deep, but plan for large plants. One plant will typically satisfy the needs of one household. Farm rows 100-120cm (36-48″) apart, plants 120 (48″) apart in the row.
Growing
Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Any well-drained, moderately fertile garden soil will do. Mulch around plants in fall with finished compost or well rotted steer manure. Choose a sunny spot. Rhubarb is cold hardy and drought tolerant. After growth stops in the fall, the plants go dormant, and require a period below 4°C (40°F) to stimulate good spring bud growth. In the second year, remove flower stalks as they appear. Divide plants every 4-5 years. A well maintained plant should produce for over a decade.
Harvest
Harvest
Do not harvest during the first year of growth. Cut the tart red stalks in spring after the first year of undisturbed growth. Do not eat the leaves. Stalks can be harvested all at once or selectively as required.
Seed Info
Seed Info
In optimal conditions, at least 50% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.
Diseases & Pests
Diseases & Pests
Pests: Watch for slugs around new seedlings. Otherwise, rhubarb is a tough, hardy plant with few pests.
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Sow indoors in early spring and transplant or direct sow about 8 weeks after the last frost date where plants are to grow permanently. Optimal soil temperature: 16-25°C (60-75°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.
Sow 2cm (1″) deep, but plan for large plants. One plant will typically satisfy the needs of one household. Farm rows 100-120cm (36-48″) apart, plants 120 (48″) apart in the row.
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8.
Any well-drained, moderately fertile garden soil will do. Mulch around plants in fall with finished compost or well rotted steer manure. Choose a sunny spot. Rhubarb is cold hardy and drought tolerant. After growth stops in the fall, the plants go dormant, and require a period below 4°C (40°F) to stimulate good spring bud growth. In the second year, remove flower stalks as they appear. Divide plants every 4-5 years. A well maintained plant should produce for over a decade.
In optimal conditions, at least 50% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.
Do not harvest during the first year of growth. Cut the tart red stalks in spring after the first year of undisturbed growth. Do not eat the leaves. Stalks can be harvested all at once or selectively as required.
