Rhubarb is one of the most rewarding perennial crops you can grow — plant it once and it will crop reliably for 10 years or more. Get the planting time right and you'll enjoy tender stalks from early spring through to midsummer.
Watch The Rhubarb Growing Video
Rhubarb rewards the right crown position, mulch and patience, especially in UK gardens with heavy soil.
Use the how-to page for planting and aftercare, then check the timing page before planting or dividing crowns.
Ready to start growing? Read our full How to Grow Rhubarb UK →
Founder & Head Grower, SoilCommander · RHS Level 2 · 12+ years growing in Yorkshire
I've been growing vegetables on my Yorkshire allotment and raised beds since 2012. Everything I write is based on what I've actually grown, failed at, and eventually got right in a real UK climate.
Rhubarb Planting Calendar
| Task | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plant crowns (bare root) | October – March | Best planted when dormant; avoid waterlogged soil |
| Plant crowns (pot-grown) | Any time | Avoid planting in drought or hard frost |
| Force for early stems | January – February | Cover with forcing pot or upturned bin |
| First harvest (forced) | February – March | Pale pink, tender stems; do not over-harvest |
| Main harvest | April – June | Pull stems; never cut. Stop harvesting by midsummer |
| Divide established crowns | October – March | Every 5–6 years to maintain vigour |
Planting Rhubarb Crowns
Rhubarb is almost always grown from crowns (dormant root divisions) rather than seed. Plant bare-root crowns from October to March while the plant is dormant. Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot with deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Dig a generous planting hole and set the crown so the growing tip (bud) sits just at or slightly above soil level — burying the bud causes rot. Space crowns 90 cm–1 m apart. Mulch generously with well-rotted manure or compost after planting.
Do not harvest any stems in the first year — let the plant establish fully. The RHS advises planting crowns between October and March during dormancy and leaving them unpicked through that first year. In the second year, take a light harvest only. From year three onwards, harvest freely.
Forcing Rhubarb for Early Stems
Forcing produces pale, tender, sweeter stems weeks ahead of the normal season. In January or February, cover an established crown with a traditional terracotta forcing pot, a large upturned bin, or a wooden crate packed with straw. Exclude all light. The stems will reach harvest length in 4–6 weeks. Forced stems are pale pink to yellow and have a more delicate flavour than unforced stalks. Only force the same crown every other year — forcing is demanding on the plant.
Regional Timing Guide
🏠 South England
Plant crowns from October. Force from January. Main harvest from late March. Longest cropping window.
🏠 Midlands & Wales
Plant crowns from October – November or February – March. Force from late January. Main harvest from April.
🏠 North England
Plant crowns from March in colder areas. Force from February. Main harvest from April – May.
🏠 Scotland
Plant crowns from March – April. Force from February in milder areas. Main harvest from May. Rhubarb is very cold-hardy and grows well in Scotland.
Best Rhubarb Varieties for the UK
Timperley Early
The best variety for forcing — produces tender, early stems from February. Reliable and widely available. A classic UK allotment favourite.
Victoria
A traditional heritage variety with thick, green-flushed stems and excellent flavour. Very vigorous and long-lived. Good for main-season harvesting.
Champagne
Slender, deep-red stems with a sweet flavour and low acidity. Less vigorous than Victoria but produces beautiful, colourful stalks ideal for desserts.
Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid
- Harvesting in year one: It's tempting, but picking stems in the first year seriously weakens the crown. Let the plant establish fully — your patience will be rewarded with years of heavy cropping.
- Burying the crown bud: The growing tip must sit at or just above soil level. Planting too deep causes the bud to rot before it can shoot. If in doubt, plant slightly proud of the surface.
- Harvesting too late in the season: Stop harvesting by the end of June or early July. Late harvesting weakens the plant and reduces next year's crop. Let the large leaves grow freely through summer to rebuild the crown's energy reserves.
Companion Planting for Rhubarb
Good companions: Rhubarb is a large, dominant plant that works well as a backdrop or border crop. Garlic planted nearby is said to deter aphids. Strawberries are a traditional companion — the rhubarb provides partial shade that strawberries appreciate in hot spells.
Avoid planting near: Dock (shares pests and competes for nutrients). Keep rhubarb away from areas where you grow brassicas, as the large leaves can shade them out.
Main Pest Risk: Crown Rot & Aphids
Crown rot is the most serious problem — caused by waterlogged soil or planting the bud too deep. There is no cure; remove and destroy affected crowns and do not replant rhubarb in the same spot. Ensure good drainage before planting.
Rhubarb aphid can colonise the undersides of leaves in summer. Plants usually tolerate low infestations well. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings, or use an organic insecticidal soap if colonies are heavy.
Slugs target emerging shoots in spring. Use wool pellets or nematodes around crowns as growth begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant rhubarb crowns in the UK?
The best time to plant bare-root rhubarb crowns is from October to March while the plant is dormant. October and November planting allows roots to establish before winter. March planting works well in colder northern regions. Pot-grown rhubarb can be planted at any time of year, avoiding drought and hard frost.
Can I harvest rhubarb in the first year?
No — do not harvest any stems in the first year after planting. The plant needs all its energy to establish a strong root system. In the second year, take only a light harvest of 2–3 stems. From year three onwards you can harvest freely from April to June.
How do I force rhubarb for early stems?
Cover an established crown in January or February with a forcing pot, large upturned bin, or wooden crate packed with straw to exclude all light. The stems will be ready to harvest in 4–6 weeks. Forced stems are pale pink, tender, and sweeter than unforced stalks. Only force the same crown every other year to avoid exhausting it.
When should I stop harvesting rhubarb?
Stop harvesting rhubarb by the end of June or early July at the latest. Late harvesting weakens the crown and reduces the following year's crop. After the harvest season, allow the large leaves to grow freely — they replenish the crown's energy reserves for next spring.
Are rhubarb leaves poisonous?
Yes — rhubarb leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and are toxic to humans and animals. Never eat the leaves. Compost them only in small quantities diluted with other material, or dispose of them separately. Only the stalks are edible.
🌿 Did You Know?
The famous “Rhubarb Triangle” — a nine-square-mile area between Wakefield, Morley, and Rothwell in West Yorkshire — once produced 90% of the world's forced rhubarb. Growers there harvest by candlelight in heated sheds, and you can actually hear the stems growing in the silence. Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb now holds Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
A short visual guide to growing rhubarb in the UK — covering when to plant crowns, how to force for early stems, and the key rules for a long-lasting, productive plant.
🌱 Did you know? Rhubarb leaves are toxic due to high oxalic acid content — always remove and compost them immediately after harvesting the stems, and never eat them.
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