Transplanting rhubarb becomes a necessity no matter how good the gardener or how nice the garden. Transplanting rhubarb is done to increase the size of your rhubarb garden, to decrease the size of your rhubarb garden, and to maintain healthy plants. This is a great task to tackle in the fall when you are already preparing your vegetable garden for winter.
Before I get into the how, when, and where to divide, take a few moments to watch our video about transplanting rhubarb.
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Rhubarb (Rheumrhabarbarum) is one of several perennial vegetables you can cultivate in your garden at home. Rhubarb grows best where winter temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit/-17 degrees Celsius (plant hardiness zones 3 through 6). The cold period is necessary for the plant to break dormancy and grow. Because its roots get old and gnarly, rhubarb division is required every four to six years.
Transplanting rhubarb: The WHEN
Transplanting rhubarb can be done in early to mid fall or early spring once the ground has thawed. Fall is often the preferred time of year because the plant has gone dormant for the season and will endure less stress during transplanting.
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Regardless the time of year, the method by which we transplant rhubarb remains much the same.
Transplanting rhubarb: The HOW
1) Transplanting rhubarb – whole plant
This is the what we set out to accomplish in the video above. Insert the blade of your spade at least 6 inches into the soil around the entire base of the rhubarb clump. I will often use a 4 tine spading fork (or perennial fork as I call it) in conjunction with a square spade. This has been the best combination to help avoid cutting the rhubarb roots. Slowly work the spade beneath the root mass and lever it backward to lift the entire root clump from the bed. Once again, try and avoid cutting the root ball.
2) Transplanting rhubarb – increasing the size of your rhubarb garden
The propagation of rhubarb plants to increase the size of your rhubarb garden involves dividing the crown and root system of the plant. This can be done by propagating from 4 to 5 year old crowns (rhubarb plants). Just like above, the entire plant can be dug up as one large root ball. Locate the crown (the part of the plant right near the soil) and look for the rhubarb buds or eyes (young growth). Use a sharp spade to divide the clump (be careful not to damage the crown), so that each portion has both part of the root and crown of the original plant. Ideally, you would like 2-3 eyes per division.
Just like with other perennials, the larger the crown (or clump of plant), the quicker it will become established.
3) Transplanting rhubarb – decreasing the size of your rhubarb garden and maintaining healthy plants
Eventually, your rhubarb clumps become too large and the eyes on each crown become crowded. Smaller or thinner leaf stalks can be a sign that it is time to divide your rhubarb plants. Many rhubarb patches will continue to produce a good harvest for 15 years or more. Although the best rhubarb yields will typically come from patches that are about 8-10 years or younger. A good rule of thumb is to divide the plants every 5 to 6 years in fall or early spring.
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It is advisable to divide or transplant only half of your plants each year. This will guarantee a good harvest while your transplants re-establish. Try not to leave any roots or pieces of the rhubarb crown behind, as they are sometimes enough to grow back volunteer rhubarb.
Transplanting rhubarb: The WHERE & Re-planting
The beauty of rhubarb is it’s adaptability. Rhubarb will thrive in full sun or light shade, all but guaranteeing you at least one location it will flourish in a yard.
Digging your hole, planting, and backfilling
For each crown that requires transplanting, dig your hole 4 inches deeper and 1.5 times as wide as your root ball. Add some loose soil to bottom of your hole then add your rhubarb crown. Make sure the crown is even with the surrounding soil level.
Backfill the hole with loose soil and compost (if available), firming it around the roots but not directly over the bud. Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist at all times, watering once or twice weekly as needed.
Things you will need to transplant rhubarb:
- A spading fork (perennial fork)
- A square spade
- Compost
- If you run into really old roots, you may need a hori-hori knife. If you have never heard of this tool before, check out our post on this amazing little gardening tool.
Optional: Mulch the bed with a 3-inch layer of straw. New growth typically begins to emerge within four weeks of transplanting rhubarb.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN
