[wbmkk]

I would like to get some rhubarb for my new allotment, probably 4 or 5

Local Wilkinsons have crowns for £2 each ... look pretty small and very dry

Online nurseries are about £4-£5 each, plus postage

I think I know the answer, but would folk here recommend buying online and perhaps getting much better plants, or just go with the £2 option

I suppose .. Is there anybody here who has purchased from Wilkinsons previously and are fully happy  .. or maybe not happy

[mumofstig]

Have you got any garden centres nearby or DIY sheds like B&Q, they'll have rhubarb plants in as well..

[Gardener and Rabbit]

I was disappointed with the quality of some online crowns a few years ago (rotten), so I grew my rhubarb plants from seed instead and found that they grew easily and well.  From a single packet of seed (Early Red) I grew all the plants that I needed, and had spares to give away to family & friends.  They are still doing well.

[Plot 1 Problems]

My best source of crowns has been to scavenge for some when a plot neighbour was dividing his old clumps. They're already adapted to the local conditions and I knew they were healthy. Maybe you could persuade someone on your site to donate?

[DHM]

If you're worried, just pay a bit more online as you'll get way more than your moneys worth back over the years. I've just divided some crowns our predecessor left behind which apparently are over 20 years old and last year we had 4 crumbles worth of rhubarb from them. I divided them into 4, replanted 2 and gave 2 away and they're coming back leaps and bounds.