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Rhubarb is one of the few vegetables that are perennials. This means that it can be left in the ground and it will return a new crop year after year. The best thing is, once planted rhubarb requires very little work to maintain.

As with any plant it is important to properly prepare the soil before you plant. This is very simple. Dig or till the soil to at least two feet deep and introduce a high level of compost or well cured manure. Never use fresh manure as it can burn your plants. This addition to your soil should be done at least a month before planting and will provide the nutrients that your rhubarb plant will need. While tilling and adding your nutrients make sure to remove all weeds as rhubarb does not do well to being invaded by weeds.

Now it's time to plant. Rhubarb is best if you grow it in a partially shaded area from rhubarb crowns or divisions rather then from seeds. Make sure that you plant your rhubarb in early spring. Rhubarb requires low temperature of forty degrees in order to break it's winter dormant stage. Okay, now dig a hole and place you plant about two inches below the surface. Making sure to have at least three feet between your plants to avoid overcrowding. After about five years you may want to dig up your plants and either divide them into separate plants or cut them back. This will help keep your plant healthy. If you are cutting them into separate plants make sure to cut the crown into sections that have at least one bud and two inches of roots on each section. Also if you decide to do this, do it in early spring so that new growth is easily spotted.

While rhubarb requires very little tending to you will find that with just a little love you can vastly improve you quantity and the quality of your crop.

First make sure that you weed around your rhubarb regularly as weed will affect the growth and strength of your plant. Also if a the thick seed stalk, which usually come up from the center of the plant, shows up make sure you cut it off. If you do not remove the seed stalk your plant will concentrate on creating seed and will reduce it's leaf stalk yield.

Now for the fun part, harvesting. This is done by either cutting the stems off at soil level or pulling out the stems. Make sure that no matter which way you harvest your stems to only harvest some of them, never harvest all of your stems at one time for the plant will need these stem to generate the energy and growth it needs to survive.

Now it might be tempting to harvest you plant at the first sing of those pretty pink stems. But you should restrain from harvesting for the first year. This will help make your plant stronger and healthier. Besides if you harvest the before your plant is ready the stem will be really bitter.

One quick note. DO NOT EAT rhubarb leaves or roots. They contain high levels of oxalic acid which is toxic. But other then that this veggies is awesome and very versatile. I have used it pies, crumbles, yogurt, truffles, and custard. Plus it is amazing on ice cream. So give it a try I think that rhubarb is must for any sweet tooth.

Learn more about this author, J J kearns.
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