Garden Help
Diagnose plant problems and treat garden pests


Get Gardening Help!

Home > Projects >

Forcing Rhubarb


You will need: Pot, Black Plastic Cover

Rhubarb loves cold weather. If the crown is exposed to frost, the plant produces much better sticks of rhubarb, especially when it is forced. You can force the plant into growth in the garden where it is growing (easier with large crowns) or place a crown in a pot and place it under protection for an even earlier crop. You need to exclude any daylight and provide frost protection after it starts to grow. You could be pulling your own rhubarb within a couple of months. Check the plants regularly to make sure they are not being attacked by slugs or grey mould.

Best time to do it:

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Step 1

Step 1 of Forcing Rhubarb

Place the crown in a pot

Step 2

Step 2 of Forcing Rhubarb

Block out the light

Step 3

Step 3 of Forcing Rhubarb

Check on the plant regularly

Step 4

Step 4 of Forcing Rhubarb

Harvest when ready and enjoy!

Related FAQs


Ask a gardening question:




Latest Gardening News



Latest Gardening & Horticultural Careers


Explore Gardens from Around the World


The New York Botanical Garden
New York, United States

Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden
Saint Petersburg, Russia

Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Eram Garden
Shiraz, Iran



Watch a Video!

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons
Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons
How can I stop my roses suffering from wind-rock?
How can I stop my roses suffering from wind-rock?
Training Sweet Peas
Training Sweet Peas
Removing a Tree
Removing a Tree
When and how should I prune a jostaberry?
When and how should I prune a jostaberry?
How do I protect my tulips from squirrels and other pests?
How do I protect my tulips from squirrels and other pests?