Fertilizing Rhubarb Plants

Every spring, give each rhubarb plant 1 cup of well-balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10). When new growth starts, apply it in a circle around the plant, but not directly on the crown.

Manure is an extremely valuable source of organic matter, as it helps to conserve moisture, preserves the soil structure and makes nutrients readily available. If you choose to use it for your rhubarb, do not use fresh manure— this could burn the tender plants. Apply one to two shovels of older manure per plant.

NOTE: This is part 6 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow rhubarb plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.