Transplanting Rhubarb

I am trying to re-organize a part of my small veg plot (only 18' x 17'). I have 4 Rhubarb plants from which I have taken a few stalks this year (very few). 3 of these I want to move.
I have already well dug over the new locations and dug in some farmyard manure about 1.5 spades deep and mixed more with soil also. Will I kill them if I attempt to move them now? I think I read that you shouldn't do this until about October but doing it now would help in other ways.

Many thanks
Teressa

 

Hi TAL. My gut feeling is that it should be left alone until it dies down. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to advise you better.
Cheers...freddy.

 

I agree. Risky time to move them unless you absolutely have to (because you are building a house extension where they currently are - for example!!!!)

 

If you must then I would take off all of the leaves and dig out as much root as possible and as deep as possible, replant immediately, water well and provide a good mulch of compost. Chance of success I expect to be less than 50% but let us know how you get on.

Dont pick any leaves from this year or next

 

Thanks everyone.
OK. I am convinced. Leave till Autumn. How do I treat them next year in terms of consuming the rhubarb? Will it be all right to pick strong stems just as I would have if they had not been moved?
I hope I dont have to leave them yet another year.

 

Hi again TAL. I think as long as it's dormant when you move it and you take as much soil with it as you can, then it should be ok to selectively remove as you say, the stronger stems. This is year 2 of my Rhubarb, and that's what I'm doing (not taking all the stems). Hope this helps, and I'm sure others will put me right if there's more to add. Oh yes, and water !
Cheers...freddy.

 

I expect you won't get much of a crop next year, whilst it establishes itself.

"not taking all the stems"

You only need to leave 4 to 6 stalks on the plant, so I would pick it to that point now and perhaps freeze so you have some next year?

If you have space you could perhaps buy a second pot-grown plant in the garden center, plant it now and that should give you some crop next year.

Break the stems off at the base (you should gte a bit of a "bulb" bit at the bottom as well as the stalk), don't cut them. (But cut off any flower stalks, if they have formed?)

 

Thanks everyone. I am still taking some stems off - ones that are about as this as my thumb (ladies thumb). 2 of the tree I will be moving are still growing a-plenty.l On each I have left at least 8-10 thinner stalks for the moment. If these plants continue to produce good strong stalks this year, when should I stop harvesting?
I am assuming that if I leave more stalks then that will make them stronger and better/fitter for the move?
Does this make sense???

 

Rhubarb is one plant that my dad won't grow, even though he loves the stuff. He reckons that once it has established, it is nigh on impossible to get rid of. When he did used to grow it, he always put it in very stony ground. Old bricks, rocks, you name it, they went in. He believed that this forced the roots to spread more, thus promoting a good crop. I don't know if there is any scientific basis to his claim, but I know that he always got tonnes of the stuff. I remember as a kid getting very bored of rhubarb crumble.

 

"when should I stop harvesting?"

Mid to end July