Crimson Rhubarb (Rheum rhubarbarum 'Crimson Red')
Crimson Rhubarb (Rheum rhubarbarum 'Crimson Red')
Rhubarb is a classic, must-have for any gardener with space.
Easy to grow. Great for northern climate gardens, because it needs extended period below 40 degrees F to have good production.
Besides pie, it also makes a great jam, and it is great for teething babies too, as we found out one year.
Sun: Full sun.
Soil: Just give it good loamy soil, and it will take as much space as you give it.
Water: Good drainage is essential, and rhubarb needs a lot of water. Keep moist if rain is scarce; and even established plants need to be watered at least an inch a week.
Zones: 3 to 8.
Height/Spread: Crimson Rhubarb grows 2 to 4 feet high by 3 to 4 feet wide.
Rhubarb Growing Guide
Click this video to get tutorial, or just read below
Plant rhubarb during the cool days of early spring, once the ground thaws.
Rhubarb produces a harvest for up to 8 years, so grow it in a sunny area where it will go undisturbed for a long time.
Give rhubarb room to spread out by planting them 4 to 6 feet apart.
Improve your native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
When hot weather arrives, apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to keep soil moist and help block weeds.
Check soil moisture regularly and water when the top inch of soil becomes dry.
Feed rhubarb regularly with a yearly compost and all purpose fertilizer blend..
Start regular harvesting in year 3 when stalks are 12 to 18 inches long and reach their ideal red color.
