You’re Growing Rhubarb Wrong—Fix It!

Want to grow rhubarb like a pro? In this video, I reveal the secrets to massive rhubarb harvests every single time! From choosing the best planting methods to avoiding common mistakes, I’ll walk you through step-by-step tips for getting vibrant, healthy plants. Learn how to water, feed, and care for your rhubarb the right way—plus discover hacks for forcing delicate stems, dealing with pests, and knowing when to stop harvesting.

If your rhubarb isn’t thriving or you’re looking to maximize your yields, this video is for you! You’ll also learn how to make rhubarb tea and the best way to compost those leaves. Stick around until the end for bonus tips on splitting crowns and growing rhubarb from seed.

💡 Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Growing Rhubarb
00:35 Start with Seeds or Crowns?
01:10 Best Location and Watering Tips
01:50 Perfect Soil and Feeds Explained
03:00 Sun vs. Shade—What Rhubarb Needs
03:30 Mounding Soil: Do This Now!
04:15 Growing Rhubarb in Containers
05:00 Spring Care Tips (Mulching & Watering)
05:45 Forcing Rhubarb—Is It Worth It?
07:20 Removing Flower Stalks and Seeds
08:40 Pest Control: Avoid These Pitfalls
10:10 Harvesting Tips for Tender Stalks
11:00 How Much to Pick (and When to Stop)
12:00 Composting and Rhubarb Leaf Tea
13:30 Winter Care and Splitting Crowns
14:50 Are Big Rhubarb Stalks Tough?

Don’t miss this action-packed guide to growing rhubarb the right way. If you found value, please like, share, and subscribe. Remember, you reap what you sow!

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[chezLynn]

A racetrack friend, once, told me that one way trackers cooled a hot or inflamed joint was to wrap the horses leg with rhubarb leaves, as a 'poultice'. When I tried this for inflammation caused by arthritis, I washed and dried the leaves, wrapped them around my knees, put icepacks on either side of each leg, and wrapped them in place with tea towels. Compared to ice, alone, I'd say there was a 75% better reduction of inflammation. So, when ppl ask 'why' I grow such big rhubarb plants, I tell them it's 'health insurance'.

[jeanmoser]

I use the leaves whole as a mulch around the plant. They keep the soil from drying out and provides nutrients as they break down. Have done this for years and my rhubarb always looks and grows great.

[DaiElsan]

I'm waiting for part of a crown that my daughter took as I moved abroad. Its a family treasure. I estimate the crown has been active for nearly a hundred years. My father brought some from his parents home, I'm 61, he was born in 1921, so it could easily be that old. It still produces great Rhubard.

[Hollycat]

I inherited a wonderful rhubarb plant when we bought our house. It grows alone at the side of the lawn in a sunny spot. It grows incredibly fast and easily produces 4 complete harvests each season. We don't let it get thicker than 1.5 inches, or it gets woody. We water it daily. We started dumping grass clippings right next to it when we moved into the house, and it absolutely took off. We joked for years that abusing it was the secret. Last year, we removed the compost and it did poorly for the first time in 12 years. This year, the grass pile is back. It's loving it. It's a week or two away from the first harvest and it's mid-April. We'll get three or four more harvests and pies all winter.

[julieanderson]

Rhubarb custard pie is my family tradition and crumble a close second. Yumm

[suepatterson]

I live in Florida USA, where rhubarb doesn't grow because of the heat. I have, however, mastered the art of growing rhubarb from seed as an annual during our fall, winter and spring seasons. My plants aren't as big and beautiful as your, but I get enough to make a few pies and crumbles, and stock the freezer for later. I grow them in 20-30 gallon containers with drip irrigation. This fall I plant to follow your advise and feed them more frequently to see it I can up their productivity.

[timlowery]

Wow! I've never seen rhubarb that big. After 10 years of trying to grow it with little success I will adjust with your recommendations.

[DSmith-ixxf]

Your rhubarb gets more loving attention than most marriages! 😂 No wonder it keeps going strong year after

[GardenerScott]

Great video, Tony! You covered every aspect of growing wonderful rhubarb with fantastic detail. This is a perfect guide for every gardener.

[logarithmic]

This is by far the BEST video on the internet about growing Rhubarb! Thank you so much for the tips, my rhubarb is doing fantastic this year due to the extra water and fertz.

[laquerisma]

Rhubarb is definitely big bang for your buck. Having said that, I haven't been able to harvest a plant I've had for about 10 or more years. I never fed it but I will going forward. Great video.

[erinobrien]

This is the Master Class on rhubarb!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge! My rhubarb has been terrible but now I know what I've been doing wrong. Thank you again!

[davidstuart]

Tony, You are a genius, Sir!! i have started following your tips earlier this year and I am definitely reaping the benefits on my Allotment. Keep the videos coming!!

[maryruggiero]

Your rhubarb is huge! I just watched your garlic video as well. Great tips and beautiful garlic. I planted it for the first time this year myself. So happy it worked and that I proved to myself I can do it!

[dianeroome]

Gosh, the garden in the background is so beautiful! And so is that rhubarb! TY for all the tips. I ❤ rhubarb. Sadly, my family does not.

[DigwellGreenfingers]

Being so large, rhubarb leaves make great slug traps before you compost them. Just lay a few on the ground and there will be dozens of the little blighters underneath the leaves the next morning!

[chucksolomon]

I first saw Rhubarb (Rheum) growing at Butchart Gardens in Canada. Nobody there could tell me much about it, but I later found out what it actually was and started some from seed. My plants have grown in my garden, but only 12 inch leaves; however, you have shown me very useful information, so I will put that into my practice this year. Thanks Tony

[bridgidlaheney]

When I was a child, we chopped up rhubarb stalks, wrapped some sugar in a paper twist to dip in. Took it to the matinee - no money for sweets. Loved that sweet and sour taste😂

[mariesheppard]

I have great rhubarb, been throwing food scraps into the space and my rhubarb grows tall and wonderful for 30 years, everyone comes by to get some . great video and right to the point

[SuzyTopAgent]

Wowsers Tony those were Enormous!!! They do look like they are very thirsty plants and definitely not dainty or delicate! I can't believe how big they were. They looked almost as tall as you! That Crumble looked so tasty at the end!