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Rhubarb is very easy
to look after. Just provide a sunny site with an annual dressing of
well-rotted compost or manure and divide every five years. They can
be left to grow naturally or forced under cover to produce sweeter
tasting sticks. The leaves are poisonous so compost them. Don't grow
from seed, divide existing plants to provide more plants. Keep well
watered and remove flowering shoots. Feed regularly during the
summer. Mulch during January/February. Sticks can be harvested from
April until July but don't remove every stick. Allow new plants
12-18 months before harvesting for the first time. To force some
plants, cover with an upturned bucket in January and harvest after
about six weeks. Do not force the same plants again for at least two
years. |
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n/a |
Early October to end March |
Any soil will do as long as it isn't waterlogged and
it is in a sunny location. Incorporate lots of manure/compost in
autumn and add fertiliser before planting. |
36ins apart and 36ins between rows |
Mid February to end July |
Freeze in sections on an open tray for an hour. Pack
into bags and store for a year |
Cut off the leaves, wash and cook slowly with sugar
but without water until tender. Remove stringy skin from older
sticks. |
