How to plant and care for Rhubarb (Timperley Early)

Rheum × hybridum

🥕 Vegetable 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

One of the earliest rhubarbs, with thin, tender stalks from late winter. Plant once and pick for decades.

At a glance: harvest in March.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Plant

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Mid February – mid April · 9 weeks before the last spring frost
Plant Crowns
Plant crowns 90 cm apart in well-prepared, weed-free ground enriched with compost. Plant with the buds just at soil level.
0–1 days after “Plant Crowns” · Mid February
Water In
Water well and keep moist while they establish.
14–21 days after “Water In” · Late February – early March
Mulch
Mulch with well-rotted manure or compost to hold moisture and smother weeds.

January
Force Early Stalks (Optional)
Cover a crown with a bucket or forcer to get pale, sweet stalks weeks early. Do not force the same crown two years running.
Starts from year 3.
March
Pull Stalks (Not in Year 1)
Twist and pull stalks at the base — never cut. Take no more than half, and none in the first year.
Starts from year 2.
May
Remove Flower Stalks
Cut out any flower spikes at the base.
July
Stop Picking
Stop picking in midsummer so the plant can build up for next year.
Starts from year 2.
November
Mulch the Crown
After the leaves die back, mulch around (not over) the crown with manure.