Rhubarb is a herbaceous perennial veggie that can handle cold weather . Its radical live for many years , but the part that grows above ground dies back every winter and raise back every outflow .
This tart vegetable is most unremarkably eat like fruit , in chip , muffins , simple syrup , and other odorous dishes . I have it off to employ my steam juicer to make rhubarb juice ! .
Rhubarb is a favored perennial veg for many family gardeners . Its tangy stalks are delectable in everything from pies and crisp to chutney and wine . However while pieplant has many great comrade works that can advance ontogeny and deter pests it also has some companions that are less than idealistic . Avoid planting these crops near your rhubarb plant to preclude decreased proceeds and other subject .
Why Companion Planting Matters
Companion planting is the practice of strategically constitute reciprocally beneficial crops together . The veracious companions can :
Alternatively , incompatible plants may stunt each other ’s growth , contend for nutrients , or attract more pests Consider companion family relationship carefully when plan your garden layout
Worst Companion Plants for Rhubarb
While rhubarb gets along with many industrial plant , a few stand out as wretched companion . Be specially wary of planting the following near your pieplant :
1. Brassicas
Broccoli , scratch , cauliflower , and other brassicas are not the good match for rhubarb . Some gardeners report reduce output when brassicas are engraft near rhubarb mend .
The exact mechanics continue incertain . Some suspect Brassica and rhubarb plant compete for food due to their hungry appetence . Others place to possible soil pH differences , as brassicas choose more alkaline conditions than rhubarb ’s ideal slightly acidic grime .
Whatever the reason , keep brassicas separate from rhubarb to avoid growth issues .
2. Potatoes
Potatoes make another inadequate rhubarb companion . Both potatoes and rhubarb are heavy feeders with extensive stem systems . When found in unaired proximity , they will compete for water , nutrients , and distance .
to boot , potatoes and rhubarb plant deal several vulgar pest , like the cabbage maggot . Close quarter can allow for these pests to move easily between crops and apace multiply .
3. Corn
The marvellous stalks of Zea mays can easily shade out lower - growing rhubarb plant . corn whiskey plant also have rapacious appetites and depleted soil food quickly .
For best results with both crop , keep corn freestanding from rhubarb patches .
4. Melons & Squash
Prolific vining crop like melons and squash can also import worry for rhubarb plant . Their sprawling increase use allows them to easily whelm the veg garden , robbing rhubarb of necessary sunlight and choking out growth .
to boot , most squash miscellany favor neutral soil pH , while rhubarb expand in slightly acidic condition . Their disagree filth pauperism make them hapless companions .
5. Mint
Mint ’s fast-growing spreading present an issue for rhubarb . This intrepid herbaceous plant can cursorily take over garden space , push out nearby works .
Rhubarb ’s perennial nature makes it especially vulnerable , as passel can occupy root zones year after twelvemonth . For this reason , muckle and rhubarb are rarely successful associate .
6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes attract many vulgar pieplant pest , like aphids , scratch loopers , and flea beetles . Their proximity to rhubarb make it light for these pest to also attack your rhubarb plant plant .
Tomatoes also boom with a higher pH than rhubarb prefers . As with brassicas , differing pH need can present a challenge when tomatoes and rhubarb are set together . Keep them separate for good results .
Best Companion Plants for Rhubarb
While some plant spell trouble for pieplant , many others make excellent companion . Consider incorporate some of these favorable plants :
When choosing companion plant , opt for those with dissimilar growth habits and nutritious need to minimize competition . For example , shallow rooted beets wo n’t compete with pieplant ’s deeper root word .
Herbs and flowers also make great companions , as their small size wo n’t impede rhubarb growth . Consider your overall garden layout and sunlight term when deciding where to plant rhubarb fellow .
Companion Planting Tips for Rhubarb
Amend soil with compost to offer nutrients for heavy feeder like rhubarb plant .
Allow plenty of infinite between plants to foreclose crowding .
freestanding plants with take issue pH needs .
Use tall companions to shade rhubarb in hot climates .
supervise for pestilence outbreaks and diseases . Remove feign plants immediately .
Weed regularly to keep nutrient competitor from grass .
Use raised beds for improved drainage in heavy soil .
employ treillage and John Milton Cage Jr. to contain sprawling crops like beans and tomatoes .
Enjoy an Abundant Rhubarb Harvest
stave off planting brassicas , tater , corn , melon , mint , or love apple near your rhubarb plant to prevent minify yields . Focus on little , pest - repelling blossom and herb that wo n’t compete for lightness and nutrients .
With smart associate selection and proper planting technique , your pieplant will thrive ! Incorporate the tasty straw into pies , press , baked goods , or strain freezing pieplant for enjoyment all twelvemonth long .
The best companion plants for rhubarb
Here are some of my pick for companion planting rhubarb , in alphabetical social club :
Alliums :
The genus Allium family admit garlic , onion , and chives . These delicious and fragrant flora are first-class pick for plant with pieplant . Their potent tone keeps pests like aphids , whitefly , and weevil away , and it might even keep biff away . On top of that , genus Allium keep big pests like cervid and rodents from eat your pieplant flora .
Do nt blank out about the decorative alliums ! Many ornamental Allium also deter pests . Do take debar alliums if you re plant beans ! .
Brassicas :
Some plant life in the brassica family are kale , broccoli , boodle , and cauliflower . This couple of industrial plant does n’t really knead well together because the brassicas use the rhubarb plant more than the rhubarb apply the Brassica !
The rhubarb plant ’s big , broad leave are great at obstruct the sunshine and providing specter , which keeps cole harvest like brussels sprouts from dumbfound sun damage and keep on common pests like whiteflies away .
legume :
Rhubarbs relationship with beans and peas is really beneficial to both plants . aphid abide forth from beans because pieplant leaf have a lot of oxalic battery-acid . Bean and pea plant plants take nitrogen from the air and work it into a stable , usable var. for the growing rhubarb , which help it originate and produce more !
Avoid planting noggin or pea near alliums , as they are not great garden friends .
hemangioma simplex :
strawberry are an excellent companion plant for rhubarb . This is one of those “ if they smack sound together , they mature good together ” pairs . Their fruit ripens around the same time as rhubarb , so you could foot both and use up them at the same time .
Strawberries are also herbaceous perennials , but they busy a different outer space than rhubarb . Strawberries are a great eatable terra firma cover harvest , which is an incredibly important part of the equation . Their short , panoptic body and trend to post out stolon brood the land well , keeping it moist and halt it from drying out or lap away too quickly . They also keep weeds from growing .
What is companion planting?
When you garden with associate , you put two or more plants together so that one or both of them can do substantially . By planting rhubarb with certain plants , you’re able to help it grow faster and better while also make it less likely that pests and disease will attack both the rhubarb and the companion plant(s ) .
Its like a food forest , but on a small scale of measurement !
Everything About Companion Planting Is a LIE
FAQ
What should n’t you implant near rhubarb ?
What twin well with rhubarb plant in the garden ?
What should rhubarb be planted in ?
Do coffee grounds facilitate rhubarb ?
