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Just purchased a couple of rhubarb plants, the champagne variety.

Its a first time for me so any hints and tips on does and donts would be appreciated. It says on the tag likes a shady spot.

What about type of soil, muck etc does it prefer, space between plants etc.

Currently they are just literally poking through the soil. Do they die back every year and start a fresh?

Sorry for the somewhat apparent stupid questions its just ive never grown it before and its only my second year at growing anything so still very much a newbie to all this - newbie but addicted...!!

Thanks
MEW

They like plenty of well rotted muck (but mine do fine without it)
Some varieties say shade, some say full-sun (IMO the more shade the better, thinner, pinker stuff you get)

They do die back every winter, you shouldn't pick any rhubarb after July(can't remember why... I think it is to mealy and bitter after then)

when they begin to emerge again (mine are just showing now) you can put a bucket over them to exclude the light and get 'forced' rhubarb... I must try it this year.

The best rhubarb is the pink stuff, the thick green stalks are too stringy... and use the leafs as a mulch on paths... they are poisonous and most people advise against composting them. last year I left the biggest leafs in place while I picked the shaded stalks from underneath.

Rhubarb is the only thing my mum successfully grew for years (as she never did anything to it) so in my experience it does fine if you just stick it in and let it be.

Thanks Ann Pan

I have a shady wall all the way down one side of the lottie so I'll prob put it down the bottom out of the way near the composter.

I got 2 plant so I might try forcing one and leaving the other see how they go.

Thanks muchly xx

Annpan wrote:They like plenty of well rotted muck (but mine do fine without it)

Compost will do if you dont have muck.

Annpan wrote: They do die back every winter, you shouldn't pick any rhubarb after July(can't remember why... I think it is to mealy and bitter after then)

They contain an acid (the name of which I can't remember just now), and the levels of that get higher as the season progresses. In fact, in Germany we learned not to pick any after the summer solstice - and never to eat any rhubarb raw, because the acid isn't so great for your innards! So it does depend a bit on where you are (climate wise - not necessarily the country!). I think the acid content is also the reason why some people don't compost them. I do, though...

Annpan wrote:when they begin to emerge again (mine are just showing now) you can put a bucket over them to exclude the light and get 'forced' rhubarb... I must try it this year.

I have read somewhere that if you force them, you won't be able to get any of that plant for another year. And you shouldn't pick any the first year you've planted it, anyway - it needs to get established properly first.