[Anton]

There is a rhubarg plant I would like to move elsewhere before starting gardening this year. Is there any special time for doing so (is it too late)? Is it safe to do so? And what precautions should I take?

Anton

[penance]

Yep now would be a good time.

Not sure why it would be unsafe or what precautions you mean?

[digalotty]

i recently read another thread on rhubarb and the conclusion was that it is practically indestructible ,  this person chopped a large root up in to pieces ready to replant so theres something else you may consider

[Ice]

Exactly what I've just done to mine and it had roots down to China.  It still lies chopped in bits and I fully expect it to take over again when it's all re-planted.

[ruralczech]

A neighbour of mine lifts a couple of roots before the ground freezes solid, he then puts the roots into a cellar on the floor and covers them with some compost he gets some nice sticks earlier than anyone. He replants the roots after and leaves them for 2-3 years before doing it again. 

[fatbelly]

I lifted my two year old Rhubarb crown in November to split in two.
I lifted it then left it on the top of the soil and along came all that really cold weather (minus 13 here one night) and snow. The crown was on top of the soil in all the winter weather for about 2 months.

10 days ago I literally chopped it in half with a spade and stuck the two roots back in the soil and stood on them to firm them in.  This morning I noticed both Crowns sending up the smallest of leaves.

[andtiggertoo]

I have a huge rhubarb plant to move. It was already a mature plant when we moved in 19 years ago and from initially tackling it last autumn I know the roots are at least 4inches thick, and go down at least 2 feet.

I expect to have to wrestle with it to get it out, but out it will have to come as it's blocking a pathway. I was pleased to read above that the long tap root can be cut before replanting. How much of that tap root needs to be left on for it to survive, this could the make the job of digging it out a whole lot more manageable.

I have already prepared a new home for it next to my frog pond and have put in some very old and well rotted farm manure.

[Trillium]

You can leave as little as a few inches of root and the plant will recover, but about a foot will have it recover faster for picking.  But do be sure to dig out as much remaining root as possible or in a few years you'll have a new plant sprouting in your pathway