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Growing Organic Rhubarb in the Vegetable Garden
Start rhubarb seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Soak seeds in warm water for 1 to 2 hours before planting to improve germination rates. Sow 0.25 inch deep in individual pots using a quality seed-starting mix, and keep soil evenly moist at 60 to 75 F. Seedlings typically emerge in 7 to 14 days. Transplant outdoors after hardening off for one week, spacing plants 36 to 48 inches apart in rows 48 to 60 inches apart. Choose a permanent, undisturbed location - a well-placed rhubarb plant may produce for 10 years or more.
Rhubarb thrives in full sun in zones 3 through 6, but benefits from afternoon shade in warmer zones 7 and 8 to protect it from summer heat. Amend the planting bed generously with compost or well-rotted manure before transplanting. Water consistently, especially during dry spells, but avoid soggy conditions that can cause crown rot. Remove flowering stalks as soon as they appear to direct energy into stalk production. Divide crowns every 4 to 5 years to maintain vigor. Mulch generously around plants in fall to protect crowns over winter.
Harvesting Organic Rhubarb
Patience is essential with rhubarb grown from seed. Do not harvest during the first year - allow plants to establish a strong root system. In the second year, harvest sparingly, taking only a few stalks per plant. By the third season, plants can be harvested more generously. Harvest stalks when they reach 12 to 18 inches long by cutting at the base or gently pulling and bending until the stalk snaps free. Always leave at least two to three stalks per plant to sustain continued growth. Harvest primarily in spring and early summer; after midsummer, allow the plant to gather energy for the following year. Important: rhubarb leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and are toxic - never eat them.
About Organic Rhubarb Garden Seeds
Rhubarb originated in Asia, where it was cultivated for thousands of years primarily for medicinal purposes. It arrived in Europe in the 1600s and reached North America not long after, quickly earning a place in kitchen gardens across the northern states and Canada.
As a true perennial vegetable, rhubarb is in a rare class of garden crops. Once established, a healthy plant can produce abundantly for a decade or more with minimal care, making it one of the best long-term investments a gardener can make. It is among the first crops ready to harvest each spring, often appearing weeks before other vegetables.
This organic rhubarb seed is an open-pollinated selection that follows the Victoria type - the most widely grown seed-strain rhubarb in North America. Stalks range from green to red near the base. Note that the deepest red colors in rhubarb are typically only achievable through vegetative propagation; seed-grown plants naturally show variation in stalk color, which does not affect flavor or productivity.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Rhubarb does best when the weather is cool. In borderline areas, I recommend planting rhubarb in a location that gets afternoon shade. The flavor deteriorates as the summer heats up."
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- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer
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Organic Rhubarb Seeds Per Package:
- 1 g Packet - Approximately 85 Seeds
- 0.25 oz Bulk - Approximately 625 Seeds
- 1 oz Bulk - Approximately 2,500 Seeds
- 4 oz Bulk - Approximately 10,000 Seeds
- 1 lb Wholesale - Approximately 40,000 Seeds
