Rhubarb is a perennial plant. Once planted, it can easily remain in the same spot for ten years. The planting time for rhubarb is now. We explain everything in this article about how to plant rhubarb in autumn and which growing conditions are suitable for the plant.
If you want to have a healthy plant in your garden in spring, then you should grow rhubarb. It is used to make jellies, jams, purees, marmalades and juices, and the juice can replace vinegar. We also show the health benefits of the plant.
Health Benefits of Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a good source of vitamin K1, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. Half a cup of cooked rhubarb provides more than a third of the recommended intake of vitamin K1, some calcium and vitamin C. Health benefits of rhubarb include:
- Protection against heart disease
- Promotes digestion
- Lowering blood pressure
- Contribution to maintaining bone health
- Reducing the risk of cancer
- Reducing inflammation
- Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes
- Support wound healing
Why plant rhubarb in autumn
The best time for planting is autumn, because then the perennials take root by spring and have significantly more growth in the first year of cultivation.
Suitable growing conditions
The location should be sunny because the plant needs full sun to develop well. Plant rhubarb in humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil that is well-drained. The plant does not tolerate waterlogging. It should therefore not be planted in low places where water can stagnate.
Maintain a sufficiently large planting distance. On average, one square meter is expected per bed and plant. Do not plant the rhubarb too deep in the ground.
Instructions for planting rhubarb
You can grow the plants as bare-root specimens or as young plants that are alreadygrow in potsand can be planted. How to proceed:
- Work the soil by loosening it and remove any weeds from the planting site before planting.
- Dig large holes for the plants.
- Space the rhubarb plants about 40 to 80 cm apart and up to 1 m between rows.
- Water well after planting. Rhubarb loves water.
How to grow plants from seeds
If you theGrowing plants from seedsIf you want, the seeds are placed in water for 3-5 days, then placed on a damp cloth and wrapped in it until germination. When sowing seeds indoors, you should use small pots. This allows the seedlings to be transplanted with minimal disturbance to the roots.
The germinated seeds are planted in a small bed with sandy soil or rotted manure. Space the rows 30 centimeters apart. The seeds need to be thinned every 10-15 centimeters. Once the seedlings have grown and become established, they are transplanted to the permanent site.
How to grow rhubarb in containers
You can also grow rhubarb in containers. Large containers are ideal so that the plants have enough space for their roots. You can repot a plant from a smaller pot to a slightly larger one if its roots have filled the current pot. Most container plants need to be repotted every few years. Leaving a plant in the same pot for too long will cause its roots to become overcrowded.
If you have rhubarb plants inGrow in containersIf you want, you should use a light, well-drained potting mix. It is always helpful to also add some compost to feed the plant.
Water the potted plants sufficiently because, as mentioned, rhubarb needs water to develop well. Check the plants for pests and remove infected parts.
Note: The stems of the rhubarb plant are suitable for consumption. However, rhubarb leaves are poisonous. They contain oxalic acid, which can be particularly harmful to children and pets.
Can you eat rough rhubarb?
Normally you only eat the stalk of the rhubarb plant, which is suitable both raw and uncooked. However, you should probably sweeten or cook the stem before eating it to make it more palatable.
How to use the healthy stems
Here are two very simple recipes for rhubarb. Try them at home.
Rhubarb with rice
Ingredients:
- 120 g Rhabarber
- 50 g Reis
- 20 g cinnamon
- 20 g Karamell
Instructions for preparation:
- Peel the rhubarb stalks and chop them finely along with the leaves. Then boil in salted water, strain and puree.
- Cook the rice in the remaining water and stir in the cinnamon 5 minutes before removing from the heat.
- Allow the rice to cool and place on a plate. Pour the rhubarb puree over it and grate some cheese over it if you like.
Rhubarb with cream
Ingredients:
- one kg rhubarb sticks
- 150g brown sugar
- grated orange peel
- 300g whipped cream
Instructions for preparation:
- Cut the rhubarb into small strips and cook it in a deep saucepan with the sugar, orange peel and a little water.
- If you prefer, you can puree it or leave it whole. Mix with the cream and serve in Melba glasses garnished with a sprig of ginger.
