Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Hardy to 'All Zones'
Rhubarb is an extremely easy plant to grow and will reward you with fruit for years to come. Plant as soon as soil can be worked. Choose a sunny, well drained area for your rhubarb bed. Dig a hole several inches deep to accommodate root and space plants 18" apart. Add a generous amount of compost. Apply mulch to smother weeds and retain moisture. Sidedress with compost or fertilizer in midsummer. Break off flower stalks to encourage leaf stalk production. Roots can be divided and replanted in early spring of the third and subsequent years. Do not harvest the first year and harvest only stalks that are at least 1" thick during the second year. Stalks are best when harvested in the spring and early summer.
