Rhubarb in containers?

[journey11]

Has anyone tried growing rhubarb in large containers? I am wondering if this would be a good idea for me. I really have a lot of trouble with the quackgrass taking everything over. My soil is heavy clay too and needs a lot of amending to get it to drain well. So far only 2 of the 6 I planted last year have come back up. Would it overwinter well in a container, do you think?

 

[Carol Dee]

I will let someone else chime in on the question. But will add that our Rhubarb bed has no grass of any sort in it. It came with the house. Has spread a little in the 33 years we have been here. I wonder if it doesn't crowd out grasses and weeds as it gets established.

 

[thistlebloom]

I'd just do it Journey.

Certainly if it's a large enough container it will do well. You can control the soil type and the weeds better,it will just need to be watered more often and I would say that it would overwinter just dandy.

 

[dickiebird]

I tried that last year but I don't think it survived the extreme cold we had this past winter. I'll have to look and see if there's any sign of life!!!

THANX RICH

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

well, i didn't intentionally try to grow mine in containers. they....um... just didn't have a permanent home at my last house. they survived in their 1 gallon pots for 2 years until they got planted over here. then i took them out by tilling. i think they had a better chance staying in those pots.

 

[dickiebird]

I remembered to look at the ones I planted in containers, by golly they look plum fantastic, so I guess they will make it through another season in containers.
In fact I think I'll do a bunch more the same way.
On the down side I can't find hide nor hair of the rhubarb I planted next to the fence!!!

THANX RICH

 

[journey11]

I remembered to look at the ones I planted in containers, by golly they look plum fantastic, so I guess they will make it through another season in containers.
In fact I think I'll do a bunch more the same way.
On the down side I can't find hide nor hair of the rhubarb I planted next to the fence!!!

THANX RICH

You are about the same hardiness zone as I am, Rich. So I am encouraged by your results! I'm going to go for it.

I planted 6 last year in amended soil, but we had so much rain all summer and all winter and this red clay doesn't drain well. Only two survived. I dug around for the others and the crowns had all rotted, despite having grown well last summer.