Rhubarb is an easy-to-grow and delicious crop. Whether you grow it for pies, jams or crumbles, the sharp stems can reliably appear year after year. But dividing rhubarb plants to get the best harvest can rejuvenate the clumps and keep them healthy and vigorous.

growing rhubarb It can be very simple; Reliable and always popular, every kitchen garden I’ve worked in has had plenty of it. Producing reliable crops of fresh stems in late spring and early summer, rhubarb was harvested for chefs or sold to the public.

Rhubarb crowns were divided regularly to keep them at their most productive, as older clumps began to produce smaller stems as they became clogged. Knowing when and how to divide rhubarb plants means you’ll get free new and refreshed plants to add to your garden. Or you can give them in batches to friends, family or neighbors.

A guide to dividing rhubarb crowns