Hi all, I have two clumps of rhubarb which I will be shifting to a more permanent bed this winter. Next spring I would like to try forcing the rhubarb. I have read that a cover of sorts is needed. When do I put it over and what happens to the rhubarb, how high does the cover need to be? Any help will be gratefully accepted.
Robin
Forcing rhubarb
Put straw round the rhubarb then cover it with a plastic bin or something around that size. Make sure the bin has holes in the top so the light can get in as the stalks will reach up towards the light. Weigh the bin down so it doesn't blow off.
Do this around the beginning of february. The stalks should take about 6 weeks.
Perhaps if your moving your rhubarb and its old you should split the crowns with a spade. Just use the big nice florets from the edge you only need one to create a new clump and discard the middle bit.
Do this around the beginning of february. The stalks should take about 6 weeks.
Perhaps if your moving your rhubarb and its old you should split the crowns with a spade. Just use the big nice florets from the edge you only need one to create a new clump and discard the middle bit.
~ glasgow dreamer ~
ohareward
what with you being 6 months out, yeah I'd think July/ August would do alrighty. Here some people do it for christmas, but most Febuary/ March
I have seen it done just with a big plantpot over the top and there was talk on here a few days ago of someone digging it up and putting it in an old dustbin. I am going to try next year with a baby bath
what with you being 6 months out, yeah I'd think July/ August would do alrighty. Here some people do it for christmas, but most Febuary/ March
I have seen it done just with a big plantpot over the top and there was talk on here a few days ago of someone digging it up and putting it in an old dustbin. I am going to try next year with a baby bath
Ann Pan
"Some days you're the dog,
some days you're the lamp-post"
My blog
My Tea Cosy Shop
Some photos
My eBay
"Some days you're the dog,
some days you're the lamp-post"
My blog
My Tea Cosy Shop
Some photos
My eBay
-
Millymollymandy
- A selfsufficientish Regular
- Posts: 17637
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 6:09 am
- Location: Brittany, France
That was me! We have already had the first pickings and the next lot need picking too, cos the stalks are growing fast and hitting the dustbin top as we had loads of sun last week (now +1C and hail though 
).
We're going to plant them out after this forcing and leave them to rest for 2 or 3 years before picking again (probably by this same dig up and force method).
It might be worth trying this way if you are going to be moving the plants anyway. That's why we haven't forced them in situ because they needed moving.
Here is some advice about forcing that was posted in the last rhubarb thread.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1105/rhubarb.asp
).We're going to plant them out after this forcing and leave them to rest for 2 or 3 years before picking again (probably by this same dig up and force method).
It might be worth trying this way if you are going to be moving the plants anyway. That's why we haven't forced them in situ because they needed moving.
Here is some advice about forcing that was posted in the last rhubarb thread.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1105/rhubarb.asp