[LucasAndRichard]

Having had a bit of a poke around the plot I've taken, have found all sorts of goodies (and some baddies!), including a load of rhubarb crowns - lots, maybe twenty or so.  The plot was not tended since late spring, and I think others helped themselves to the rhubarb when it was time, but now I have to work out what to do to make sure they don't just die off!  They've obviously done really well there, and while I know you don't rotate rhubarb, I don't really know what you do do with it.  Do I mulch it, cover it, leave it well alone, divide it...??
As you can see, I have no clue, but as it's starting to get pretty wet and cold here, I didn't want to just leave it in case ther was something I was supposed to be doing!  And also, does anyone have any idea of how much rhubarb you get from each crown?  
Cheers people - any suggestions of what to do/not to do would be much appreciated...
Lucas

[Steve.P]

Hi Lucas,
Best to decide if you want as many as twenty. If not give some away if possible. Next decide where you want them, its ok to dig up the plant roots then replant, give them some manure when you replant. When they start to grow next season leave them to it. After that you can force the rhubarb with an upside down dustbin when the first shoots start to appear. But try to do this once every couple of years.

[LucasAndRichard]

How much do you get from one plant?  I was thinking that maybe that was more than I'd want, but just don't know how much fruit I'd get from each one, you know?
They're okay where they are now, so is it okay to leave them in the same place like that, or should they be moved?  Is that what you said should be done every couple of years, so you can nourish the soil?  And what about dividing?  How/when/why?!?!?
 :shock:

[noshed]

Do not panic! Rhubarb will grow away happily whether you like it or not. I would tidy up what you've got there - pick up any leaves and stalks that have died off and dig out any weeds that are around the crowns. Then just put about 2" of compost, straw or rotted manure over the whole lot. If you haven't got any of that don't worry too much it will probably be fine.
I've surrounded my rhubarb patch with some bits of wood just so as I know where it is when it's all died down in the winter. This is not compulsory.
If you've got a big woody-looking crown, then you can dig the whole lot up and replant the decent-looking bits about 18" apart. Compost any really gnarled and woody bits, although that will probably start growing in the compost heap too!
When you replant put some rotted manure or compost in the hole. Rhubarb likes a moisture-retaining soil.
In the spring it will grow away and you'll be able to pull the stalks - pull and twist, don't cut so as you don't leave bits that will rot.
You will probably get 2/3 stalks a week from each crown when it is in full flood, maybe more. Always leave a few growing from each crown.
So either you'll be eating a lot of crumbles or you'll be making a lot of wine. I just take my surplus into work and dish it out to the deserving.

[FRUITFULL]

My Rhubarb has disapeared.It was there through the summer but i think its rotted.It was a new clump this year

[Rampant_Weasel]

its supposed to m8  it will bounce back in the spring ready to be eaten

[Steve.P]

Hi Lucas,
How much you get from one plant, i suppose depends on the size. The rhubarb on my plot has been in the same spot for years, long before i took over. so no need to move it. But a good feed with manure each winter wont do any harm. I usually wait until mine has grown to about 12" or over then cut the stalks at the base. This will then be replaced with new ones, until the end of the growing season, when it will completely disappear from view until next season. Rhubarb wil freeze very well.

[LucasAndRichard]

Thanks for the advice folks - I've got a much better idea now of what I need to do.  For the time being I'm going to leave all the crowns where they are, as none seem particularly woody, mulch all round them, and then see how it goes next summer as to whether I want that many or not!  As has been pointed out, it would be a waste to chuck them, and so if I do decide to get rid of some I'm sure I'll find someone who would make use of them.  Roll on the time of rhubarb crumble!!
     

[Babstreefern]

I acquired half a plot on an allotment site a couple of years ago, and took over the other half earlier this year.  I too had a load of rhubarb growing on it.  I didn't want it in the place it was, so I let it grow through the summer, got a load from it, froze it, and also gave some away.  Anyway, now its died off, I've dug the whole of it up - had 20+ crowns.  I kept half a dozen for me and gave lots away and still got large clumps left over.  Anyway, I've dug mine in with lots of compost, but I've also heard its better to plant it after the frost has gotten to the roots.  Also, not to harvest it in its first year.  Good luck