When to plant Rhubarb in Cambridge

Rheum × hybridum

Rhubarb
Rhubarb · Rheum × hybridum

A hardy perennial for a permanent UK bed. Plant crowns in rich, well-drained soil. Leave them to establish. Take a light crop from year two. The leaves are not edible. A little light shade is fine.

100 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May

Plant out October to December, harvest March to July. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYes
HarvestNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Prepare the Bed

    14 Sept to 12 Oct

    Prepare a permanent bed around 14th September - 12th October. Take out perennial weeds. Work in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost.

  2. 02

    Plant Crowns

    12 Oct to 3 Dec

    Plant dormant crowns around 12th October - 3rd December in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. If the ground is still open later, you can still plant. Set the buds just at or slightly above the soil. Do not bury them. Buried crowns rot. Space apart. Water in.

    • Seed, forcing, and spring-potted plants are separate routes.

  3. 03

    Keep Weed Free

    12 Oct to 29 Oct 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 12th October to 29th October 2027, keep the bed weed-free. Water in dry spells. Do not pick any stems in the year you plant.

  4. 04

    Feed and Mulch

    8 Mar to 7 Apr 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Top-dress around the crown from 8th March - 7th April 2027 with garden compost or a balanced organic fertiliser. Do this once a year. Do not bury the crown.

  5. 05

    Harvest Stems

    15 Mar to 5 Jul 2028 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Do not pick stems in the year you plant. Take a few stems in year two, from 15th March 2028 to 5th July 2028. Pull and twist from the base. Do not cut. Leave plenty of foliage. The leaves are not edible.

  6. 06

    Clear Dead Foliage

    5 Oct to 2 Nov 2027

    Once the leaves die back around 5th October - 2nd November 2027, clear the old foliage. Do not leave it sitting on the bed.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Rhubarb to consider

Timperley Early

An early cropping variety that can be forced for very early harvests under pots or in darkness.

Victoria

A reliable, widely grown variety with good flavour and strong stems.

Stockbridge Arrow

A modern variety with long, straight stalks and a good harvest window.

Rhubarb guides by town

See how Rhubarb timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.