edenhana

Rhubarb

A long-lived perennial planted from dormant crowns in winter; avoid harvesting in its first year to let it establish. Leaves are poisonous and must not be eaten.

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Sun
full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
90cm
Harvest
Ready in about 1-1 years
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
1-2kg of stalks per plant once established
Cost to grow
~$12 NZD
Grocery value
~$18 NZD
Companion plants
Brassicas, Roses
Common diseases
Crown rot
Common pests
Rhubarb aphid, Slugs and snails

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: June-August. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: June-July.

Growing stages

  1. Establishment yearFirst year, no harvest

    • Planted from dormant crowns in winter; do not harvest in the first year, let the plant build up its crown
    • Slugs and snails can target young emerging shoots
    • Crown rot risk in poorly drained, waterlogged soil

  2. Spring growth

    • Rhubarb aphid can cluster on the undersides of new leaves
    • Leaves are poisonous and must never be eaten, only the stalks
    • Full sun and moderate, consistent water needed for strong stalk growth

  3. Established croppingFrom year two onward

    • Crown rot can develop in wet winters, especially in heavy soil
    • Rhubarb aphid can persist on foliage through the growing season
    • Divide congested crowns every few years to keep production strong

  4. Harvest

    • Once established, pull rather than cut stalks, twisting gently at the base
    • Yields 1-2kg of stalks per plant once established
    • Always discard the poisonous leaves and never harvest more than about a third of stalks at once

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