[Welsh Merf]

This morning I found the rhubarb plant that I planted in May this year, and which had grown considerably in that time, with its leaves and stems wilted and brown. Some of them were rotten as well.

Given the information that I've already been given regarding this, it was expected; it's what they do apparently.

I have taken the leaves and stems and thrown them in the compost bin, but my question is do I cover the remaining crown, which is just below the surface of the soil, with manure over winter?

[New shoot]

The die down of the top growth is normal and I usually take the stems and leaves off, so there is no danger of them rotting into the top of the crown.

You can't overfeed rhubarb, so it will love a winter mulch of manure.  Mine have had a good covering of compost to tuck them up 

[Welsh Merf]

Splendid reply - all I need to know! Many thanks New Shoot!

[Mr Dog]

I wouldn't cover the crown - by all means put plenty of manure around it but not on it otherwise there's a chance it will rot if the weather's particularly wet. I put an upturned pot over the crown while spreading the manure to protect it.

[trunk monkey]

I fully concur with Mr. Dog's advice and he is a man from within the Rhubarb triangle!

[New shoot]

Each to their own    I cover my crowns and they come back fine each year.

[Welsh Merf]

Seems I need an adjudicator

[New shoot]

Even a simple question will generate several different answers Merf   

[8doubles]

I don't think rainfall will do much damage to the crown if drainage is adequate.
Prolonged heavy frosts on the other hand could send the crown mushy so i have always given a covering of manure for insulation.

[Mr Dog]

I don't think rainfall will do much damage to the crown if drainage is adequate.
Prolonged heavy frosts on the other hand could send the crown mushy so i have always given a covering of manure for insulation.

Interestingly the RHS recommend that the crown is exposed to frost: When the top growth dies back in autumn, remove the dead leaves to expose the crown to frost - this will help break dormancy and ensure a good crop of stalks the following year.

See New Shoot's comment, post 6 

[8doubles]

There is a difference between being exposed to frosts and having the crown exposed to weeks of permafrost when the ground is solid.

Ps i think the break dormancy bit is a load of what i said to put on top !

[New shoot]

Rhubarb is the ultimate no faff crop in my view.  I take the old leaves and stalks off because they collapse in the frost and do make a wet slimy mess.

I'm one for covering up as that the established wisdom of the old boys on the plot and I do try and listen to my elders.  It puts me in good stead for when I try some new fangled thing like oca, that has them all head scratching   

We have plot holders who are never seen between September and March, so their rhubarb gets left to its own devices.  Never know anyone lose a crown, although those that are mulched over winter grow way more strongly.  I have 3 monstrous clumps of an old unknown variety that half the site picks ( with permission I hasten to add).  Its sprouting each year by December and ready to pick at least a month before anything else, so no problems with breaking dormancy there.

Ask half a dozen gardeners, get a dozen opinions   

[Mr Dog]

Rhubarb is the ultimate no faff crop in my view.  I take the old leaves and stalks off because they collapse in the frost and do make a wet slimy mess.

I'm one for covering up as that the established wisdom of the old boys on the plot and I do try and listen to my elders.  It puts me in good stead for when I try some new fangled thing like oca, that has them all head scratching   

.......

Ask half a dozen gardeners, get a dozen opinions  

I agree completely with all of that, although the old boys on my site don't cover  . In the past few years I've found oca, rat tailed radish, achocha, purple caulis and none-red beetroot has got them muttering   

[brokenglass]

Rhubarb is originally from Siberia, I doubt the frost will do much damage as we do not get anything like the true permafrost they witness every year.

[RJR_38]

I don't even take the leaves off... They rot so quickly and provide extra food in my experience