Transplanting rhubarb becomes a necessity no matter how good the gardener or how nice the garden. You can change the size of your rhubarb garden by transplanting it, and you should do it occasionally to keep the plants healthy. You should do this in the fall, when you are already getting your vegetable garden ready for winter.
Watch this short video about moving rhubarb plants before I talk about how, when, and where to divide.
Rhubarb (Rheumrhabarbarum) is one of several perennial vegetables you can cultivate in your garden at home. Rhubarb grows best in places where it gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) in the winter (plant hardiness zones 3 through 6). The cold period is necessary for the plant to break dormancy and grow. Because its roots get old and gnarly, rhubarb division is required every four to six years.
With its tart tasty stalks, rhubarb is a popular early season crop for home gardens. But occasionally you may need to transplant an existing rhubarb plant to a new location. So when should you move established rhubarb plants for the highest success rate?
Timing is an important factor when transplanting rhubarb. There are particular times of year when transplanting will be easier on the plants and give them the best chance of thriving in their new spot.
Why Transplant Rhubarb
Here are some common reasons you may need to transplant your rhubarb:
- To divide overcrowded plants
- To move it to a new garden bed or location
- Because the current site has poor growing conditions
- To give away plants to friends and family
- To separate different rhubarb varieties
- To replace aging or diseased plants
Rhubarb transplants fairly well if moved at the right time of year. Just be sure you have a good reason to undertake transplanting.
Best Time to Transplant Rhubarb
The ideal time to transplant rhubarb is in early spring, just as growth is beginning. Specifically:
- As soon as the ground can be worked in spring
- When buds are swelling but leaves have not yet emerged
- When soil temperatures reach 40°F
Early spring gives rhubarb the longest period to recover and establish before summer heat arrives.
Spring Transplanting Tips
Follow these tips for transplanting rhubarb in early spring
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Carefully dig up plants trying to keep the roots intact.
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Divide any large clumps into smaller sections.
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Trim leaves off plants, but don’t remove buds
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Immediately replant sections at the new location.
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Water thoroughly after transplanting.
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Allow plants to establish for a couple months before harvesting.
Whenmoved in early spring, rhubarbsuffers minimal setback before resuming growth.
Fall as Second Best Option
If spring has passed, the next option is to transplant rhubarb in early fall. Specifically:
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4-6 weeks before first fall frost
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When soils are still warm
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After plants have gone dormant
Transplanting in fall allows plants to establish roots before winter. Follow similar planting guidelines as for spring. The drawback is plants may struggle going into winter if not fully established. Provide extra mulch around fall transplants.
Least Ideal Time – Summer
Summer is the most difficult season to transplant rhubarb successfully:
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High summer heat stresses newly transplanted plants.
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Active growth and foliar transpiration makes survival tougher.
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Harvest season means you lose this season’s yield if moving plants mid-summer.
However, summer transplanting can work if absolutely necessary. Focus on keeping plants cool, hydrated, and shaded immediately after transplanting. Reduce stress as much as possible.
How to Transplant Rhubarb
Follow this step-by-step process for transplanting rhubarb:
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Prepare new planting site by amending soil and digging holes.
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Water rhubarb plants 1-2 days before digging them up.
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Dig up plants carefully keeping as much root mass intact as possible.
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Shake off excess soil and quickly replant into new hole.
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Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
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Apply mulch around transplants.
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Stake larger plants if needed to stabilize them.
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Provide shade if transplanting in summer.
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Hold off harvesting for remainder of season.
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Resume normal care and harvest next season.
With proper technique and timing, rhubarb can be successfully transplanted with minimal setback.
Caring for Transplants
Give transplanted rhubarb some extra care:
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Water frequently to encourage root establishment.
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Protect from temperature extremes in summer or winter.
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Stake loose plants and mulch around the base.
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Monitor for signs of transplant shock like wilting.
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Delay harvest until next season on transplants.
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Divide root balls of overcrowded transplants.
Proper aftercare prevents added stress and helps them recover.
Dividing Overgrown Rhubarb Clumps
Mature rhubarb plants often become overcrowded, with dense clumps of crowns vying for space. Dividing these congested plants rejuvenates them.
Here’s how to divide rhubarb:
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Use a sharp shovel or knife to split root balls into smaller sections.
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Each divided section should have 2-3 healthy buds or crowns.
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Trim any long roots or leaves before replanting divisions.
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Space new transplants 2-3 feet apart in the garden bed.
Dividing overgrown rhubarb helps improve plant vigor and growth.
Troubleshooting Transplant Issues
Here are some potential issues and solutions for rhubarb transplants:
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Slow growth: Fertilize plants and ensure adequate sunlight.
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Leaning plants: Stake larger plants to keep them upright.
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Wilting: Check soil moisture and water transplants regularly.
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Rotting crowns: Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Improve drainage.
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Pest damage: Inspect for signs of rhubarb curculio or borers. Remove by hand or use organic pesticides.
Catching problems early allows you to correct any transplanting errors or issues.
Key Timing for Transplanting Rhubarb
To summarize, here is the ideal timing for transplanting rhubarb:
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Spring before growth starts = Best time
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Early fall when plants are dormant = Good option
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Summer during active growth = Least desirable
Follow these seasonal guidelines to ensure success when transplanting rhubarb to a new home.
Transplanting rhubarb: The HOW
This is the what we set out to accomplish in the video above. Insert the blade of your spade at least 6 inches into the soil around the entire base of the rhubarb clump. I will often use a 4 tine spading fork (or perennial fork as I call it) in conjunction with a square spade. This has been the best combination to help avoid cutting the rhubarb roots. Slowly work the spade beneath the root mass and lever it backward to lift the entire root clump from the bed. Once again, try and avoid cutting the root ball.
Transplanting rhubarb: The WHERE & Re-planting
The beauty of rhubarb is it’s adaptability. Rhubarb does well in both full sun and light shade, so you can be sure that it will grow in at least one spot in your yard.
Dividing Rhubarb: A Winter Gardening Job for Healthier Plants
FAQ
When can I move my rhubarb?
Does rhubarb transplant well?
When to divide rhubarb plants?
How do you transplant rhubarb?
The process of transplanting rhubarb is easy, especially in comparison to learning when to plant rhubarb from seeds. Dig the dormant plant up carefully with a spade, digging around the root clump to life the plant from the ground whole. Carefully use a trowel, or a spade if needed, to separate the plant at the roots.
When should rhubarb be transplanted?
Although transplanting rhubarb can be performed in the spring or fall, I recommend early spring as the best time to transplant rhubarb. Some gardeners prefer the autumn for transplanting because the plants are dormant. Either time of year that you choose, the actual propagation method for transplanting rhubarb is the same.
When should rhubarb be planted?
Plan to plant the divisions between late fall or early spring. For best results, plant the rhubarb in late winter while the weather is still cold. It is best to plant the rhizomes as soon as you finish dividing the original rhubarb. If you can’t plant them right away, wrap the rhizomes in damp cloths and store them in a cool, dark place.
How to grow rhubarb plants?
The propagation of rhubarb plants to increase the size of your rhubarb garden involves dividing the crown and root system of the plant. This can be done by propagating from 4 to 5 year old crowns (rhubarb plants). Just like above, the entire plant can be dug up as one large root ball.
