As a heavy eater, rhubarb is anything but a starvation artist. Correct fertilization is therefore the decisive factor for successful cultivation. Which nutrients are important and how they are administered is not a closed book.
How should you fertilize rhubarb effectively?
In order to properly fertilize rhubarb, organic fertilizers such as sifted compost or pine needles should first be used. After the harvest, nitrogen-rich fertilizers such as plant manure or horn meal become more important for regeneration and gaining strength for the next year.
Organic fertilizer satisfies the great hunger for nutrients
All other aspects of caring for a rhubarb plant revolve around the adequate supply of nutrients. For environmentally and he alth-conscious hobby gardeners, the use of chemical preparations is out of the question. Rather, it is the following organic fertilizers that are at the center of fertilizing activities:
- Immediately after planting, spread a thick layer of mulch made from sifted compost
- work well-rotted garden compost into the soil weekly from February to June
- additional mulch with pine needles, leaf compost and grass clippings
Where a compost heap is not available, hobby gardeners turn to natural alternatives. Certified organic products (€12.00 on Amazon) are available from specialist retailers to provide you with nutrients. For example, they are composed of beet pulp, horn meal and microorganisms. In addition, algae juice is making a name for itself as an effective fertilizer.
Fertilize with nitrogen emphasis only after the harvest
After the end of the rhubarb season, nitrogen becomes more important for nutrient supply. The plant should now regenerate and gather strength for the next year. You should give preference to the following organic fertilizers from the end of June:
- Plant manure made from nettles, comfrey, field horsetail
- Horn meal and horn shavings are rich in nitrogen
- seasoned stable manure of all kinds, preferably horse manure
- Guano, consisting of seabird excrement, as sticks or grains
Algae juice is ideal as a liquid fertilizer for rhubarb in containers. With green and brown algae as the main components, the fertilizer supplies the heavy feeder with all the important organic nutrients and minerals.
Planting rhubarb at the fertilizer source
Regular fertilization with compost takes energy. The important thing is to shovel the heavy material onto the wheelbarrow, transport it to the rhubarb and work it into the soil. Inventive hobby gardeners therefore plant their rhubarb in the immediate vicinity of the compost heap.
Tips & Tricks
If you can't start harvesting early enough, surround your rhubarb with a thick layer of well-seasoned horse manure from January/February. The natural material not only releases plenty of nutrients, but also warms the soil so effectively that, with a bit of luck, the first stalks can be harvested as early as March.
