Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb

[lucyellensmum]

Rhubarb! I have brought a rhubarb plant - now what do i do??

My mum says i should stick a bucket over it, my MIL says i should plant it in a corner, and some crappy gardening book says i shouldn't "pull the sticks" until the second season.

Sticking a bucket over it is called forcing. It gives you really tender, sweet, early shoots but it puts quite a lot of strain on the plant. It will be too late for this year and you shouldn't force it yet anyway. If you want to do this you should have at least two plants so you can alternate.

I'd believe the gardening book which suggests not to pull the stalks this season. You want the plant to build up good reserves, although it's not exactly asparagus so I'd maybe try a few as I'm impatient.

I'd go with your MIL's suggestion of planting it in a corner. But make sure there's nothing close by for it to smother as these things can GROW.

crappy gardening book offers best option, let it establish a good root system this year and by mar/apr next year you'll be making rhubarb crumble every fortnight.

Seems like ages to wait, but then it just comes backe year after year and all you need to do is throw some farmyard manure over it before it settles down for the winter. Your crumbles get better and better too.

Totally agree with 'crappy' gardening book. It's best in the long run - not easy to do when you see all those tasty looking stalks though.

Don't force it in the first year whatever you do - will really weaken the plant.

I have NOOOO patience, but it will be worth the wait im sure. Anyway, DD2 is only 2 this year so wont want something so sour - next year will be much better

Should i plant it in the sun or the shade?