Are you looking for that perfect companion for your rhubarb plant? Look no further! By the end of this read, you’ll be well-informed about which plants enhance rhubarb growth and which ones to steer clear of.
Rhubarb, a robust herbaceous perennial vegetable, boasts a resilient root system that persists for numerous years, while its above-ground parts undergo seasonal die-back in winter, only to regenerate each spring.
Despite its tartness, rhubarb is enjoyed in rhubarb crumbles, muffins, and even made into wine! It’s a classic on our homestead – and it freezes well to enjoy all winter long, too!
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products (including Amazon). I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you! Regardless, I only link to products that I personally use on our homestead or believe in.
Rhubarb and blueberries are two beloved plants that often cross paths in kitchens showing up together in everything from pies to muffins. But how well do these two get along when planted side by side in the garden? Can rhubarb and blueberries be companion plants or should they be kept apart?
As a long-time gardener who has grown both rhubarb and blueberries, I’ve discovered that this pairing can work but does require some special considerations In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of planting rhubarb near blueberries and explore some best practices for success
The Similarities Between Rhubarb and Blueberries
Before deciding whether rhubarb and blueberries make good companions it helps to understand how their needs overlap. Here are a few key similarities between these two plants
-
Soil pH: Both prefer slightly acidic soil, around pH 5-6. This makes cohabitation simpler since they thrive in comparable conditions.
-
Sun exposure: While rhubarb tolerates some shade, both grow best with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. East or west-facing locations work well.
-
Chilling requirement: To flourish, rhubarb and blueberries need a cold winter dormancy period. They do best in areas with frigid winters.
-
Organic matter: Abundant organic material keeps the soil around both plants healthy. Compost, rotted manure, and mulch are ideal.
-
Watering: These plants enjoy consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Their water needs are similar, so grouping them makes irrigation straightforward.
With the right prep and care, rhubarb and blueberries can potentially thrive as partners. But some precautions are needed too.
Concerns with Growing Rhubarb and Blueberries Together
While rhubarb and blueberries share some preferences, their differences could also cause problems when paired:
-
Nutrient competition: Both plants are heavy feeders, especially of nitrogen. Without extra fertilizer, they may compete for nutrients, reducing yields.
-
Allelopathy: Rhubarb leaves contain high oxalic acid levels, which can suppress blueberry growth. Keep rhubarb leaves from touching blueberries.
-
Shade concerns: Rhubarb’s large, spreading leaves may overly shade blueberry bushes, resulting in reduced fruit production.
-
Spacing needs: These sizable plants require adequate space to reach mature dimensions. Crowding leads to disease and poor air flow.
With planning and attentive care, these potential issues can be prevented. But gardeners must be diligent to accommodate each plant’s specific needs when pairing rhubarb and blueberries.
Best Practices for Growing Rhubarb and Blueberries Together
While challenging, growing robust, bountiful rhubarb and blueberries as companions is achievable using these methods:
-
Test soil pH and amend if needed to reach ideal acidity of 4.5-6.0.
-
Before planting, incorporate generous amounts of compost and organic material. Mulch yearly.
-
Allow 3-4 feet between plants for good air circulation. Give blueberries a 6 foot diameter space.
-
Position rhubarb carefully to prevent shading blueberry bushes. Keep to edges or corners.
-
Use a balanced organic fertilizer to provide enough nitrogen for both heavy feeders.
-
Install drip irrigation to maintain even soil moisture, especially around blueberry roots.
-
Remove rhubarb leaves around blueberries to prevent toxicity. Never compost toxic leaves.
-
Monitor both plants and immediately treat any disease issues. Improve conditions if plants struggle.
With vigilant care and prevention of problems from the start, rhubarb and blueberries can grow in tandem while reaching peak productivity.
Special Considerations for Container Growing
Growing rhubarb and blueberries together in pots and containers brings added challenges:
-
Choose self-pollinating blueberry varieties to avoid needing multiple plants.
-
Select compact rhubarb cultivars like ‘Victoria’ that won’t overwhelm containers.
-
Use at least 20-gallon containers for each plant. Bigger is better to hold ample soil.
-
Ensure containers have drainage holes to prevent overly wet soil and root rot.
-
Position containers in an area receiving at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
-
Amend potting mix with organic material like compost to enrich nutrient levels.
-
Fertilize at least monthly to replace nutrients leaching from containers.
-
Use drip irrigation for consistent moisture. Take care not to overwater.
With extra care, it’s possible to get modest harvests from container-grown rhubarb and blueberries.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with excellent methods, issues may pop up when interplanting rhubarb and blueberries. Watch for these potential problems:
-
Stunted growth: This often results from nutrient competition without extra fertilizer. Apply balanced organic fertilizer.
-
Pale leaves: Iron deficiency frequently occurs in high pH soils. Check and amend pH if needed and apply iron supplement.
-
Small crops: Overcrowding, low nutrients, inadequate sunlight, or moisture stress can limit yields. Improve conditions.
-
Rotting roots: Excess moisture leads to root rot. Allow soil to dry between waterings and ensure container drainage.
-
Leggy growth: Insufficient sunlight causes leggy growth as plants reach for light. Relocate to a sunnier position.
-
Wilting: Persistent wilting signals a watering issue. Check soil moisture daily and improve irrigation methods.
By catching issues early and making adjustments, most companion planting problems can be remedied.
Enjoying the Harvests
One joy of interplanting rhubarb and blueberries is combining their harvests into mouthwatering treats. Here are some harvesting tips:
-
Stagger planting times to extend harvests from early summer into fall. Choose early and late cropping varieties.
-
Harvest rhubarb stalks when they reach 1-2 inch diameter. Don’t remove more than 1/3 of stalks at once.
-
For blueberries, pick when berries turn completely blue. Harvest in the coolest morning hours.
-
Eat just-picked blueberries immediately or freeze extras for later use.
-
Chop and freeze extra rhubarb stalks. Frozen rhubarb keeps for months.
-
Bake into pies, jams, sauces, muffins or compotes. Blueberries balance rhubarb’s tart flavor.
With planning and diligent harvesting, a rhubarb and blueberry combo can yield months of fruity flavors.
Final Tips for Success
Companion planting blueberries and rhubarb together takes skill but can certainly succeed. Here are final tips:
-
Amend soil at planting and regularly replenish with compost and mulch
-
Provide supplemental organic fertilizer to prevent nutrient deficiencies
-
Allow ample space between plants for air flow and growth
-
Take care to minimize shading of blueberry bushes
-
Supply consistent, even moisture at optimal levels
-
Control wayward rhubarb leaves to prevent toxicity to blueberries
-
Add supports like trellises as needed as plants mature
With knowledge of their specific needs, consistent care, and prevention of problems, rhubarb and blueberries can thrive together. Just stay attentive, and you’ll reap bountiful harvests of juicy berries and rosy stalks from this flavorful pair.
The Verdict: Go For It With Some Precautions
While tricky, with some extra planning it is indeed possible to successfully plant rhubarb near blueberries. Pay close attention to their spacing, soil, sunlight, moisture and nutrient needs. But the effort pays off with two productive, beautiful plants and doubled harvests. If you stay on top of their care, the pairing can work wonderfully.
So don’t be afraid to give companion planting a try with rhubarb and blueberries. Follow the best practices outlined above, and you may just find their sweet-tart harvests were made for each other.
#3 Melons & Pumpkins
Melon and pumpkins should be avoided as companion plants due to the same reason as the corn. They are not tall plants, but they tend to sprawl and create a web of vines and leaves that can choke out surrounding plants.
Cucumbers are a heavy feeder and can compete for nutrients with your rhubarb plant. It’s best to leave cucumbers to a different section of your garden.
Tomatoes are a definite pest attraction! They also can be quite tall and broad, resulting in lots of shade to any surrounding plants as well. I prefer to keep my tomato plants off to the side of my garden, if possible!
Benefits of companion planting
There are many benefits to utilizing companion planting in your garden. It’s something that I engage in heavily to maximize the health of my plants and improve the efficiency of my garden space.
- Repel harmful pests – Some plants actively repel harmful insects using their aromatic properties such as mint and marigolds.
- Hide from harmful pests – Having a diverse spread of plants together can make it harder for pests to pick out their favorite ones to devour.
- Attract beneficial insects – Certain insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, predatory stink bugs, soldier beetles, and many more can serve as predators to the harmful ones. We can encourage them to come by companion planting with plants that they love.
- Attract pollinators – Certain plants are very attractive to pollinators and will drive them in to happily pollinate your vegetables, resulting in increased yields! Strawberries surrounded by a companion plant of borage resulted in an average of 35% more fruit!
- Replace nutrients – While some plants can compete for nutrients if planted next to each other, others can have the opposite effect!
I Got SCHOOLED By An 83 Year Old Farmer On How To Grow Blueberries
FAQ
Can rhubarb grow with blueberries?
Can I plant rhubarb near blueberries? Both rhubarb and blueberries love acidic soil, making them potentially good neighbors. However, ensure both plants have adequate space as they can become sizable and might compete for nutrients if placed too close.
What should you not plant next to rhubarb?
-
Legumes:Some gardeners believe legumes, like beans, might attract the tarnished plant bug, which can be a rhubarb pest.
-
These plants, like rhubarb, are susceptible to curculios, a weevil that can damage stalks, so they should be kept apart.
-
Asparagus and rhubarb can compete for the same resources, so it’s generally best to avoid planting them together.
What not to plant next to blueberries?
-
Nightshades and Brassicas:Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, while nightshades and brassicas prefer more neutral soil. They are also heavy feeders, competing with blueberries for nutrients like nitrogen.
-
Taller Plants:Anything taller than blueberries will block sunlight, which blueberries need for healthy growth and fruiting.
-
Lavender requires a more alkaline soil pH (around 6.5 to 7.5) compared to blueberries’ preferred pH of 4.5-5.5, according to Martha Stewart.
-
Raspberries also prefer alkaline soil, making them unsuitable companions for blueberries.
Where is the best place to plant rhubarb?
-
Sunlight:Rhubarb needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates.
-
Soil:Choose a well-drained, rich, moist soil with good organic matter content. Improve heavy soil with compost or manure.
-
Space:Rhubarb plants mature to be about 3 feet in diameter, so space them 3-4 feet apart.
-
Location:Plant rhubarb in an area where it will not be disturbed, as it is a perennial.
-
Late frosts:Avoid planting in areas prone to late frosts, as the young stems may be damaged.
-
Crown rot:Plant in well-drained soil or use raised beds to prevent crown rot, especially in heavy soil.
Are rhubarb & blueberries Good Neighbors?
Make sure it’s away from plants with which it might compete or conflict. Both rhubarb and blueberries love acidic soil, making them potentially good neighbors. However, ensure both plants have adequate space as they can become sizable and might compete for nutrients if placed too close. Absolutely!
Should rhubarb be planted in a garden?
A well-organized garden, where rhubarb companions are strategically placed, can harness nature’s own methods to achieve balance and promote health. Secondly, understanding these interactions can yield a more prolific harvest, both of rhubarb and its neighboring plants.
Can blueberry bushes grow on their own?
While blueberry bushes can grow successfully on their own, having companion plants can offer certain benefits. As mentioned earlier, companion plants like strawberries, rhubarb, and azaleas can enhance soil conditions and support blueberry growth.
Can you grow rhubarb and strawberries together?
As long as the rhubarb leaves don’t overshadow the strawberries, both plants make excellent companions. In addition, they are harvested at the same time, so picking the strawberries and harvesting rhubarb stalks, if both plants are grown in the same area, can also be very convenient.
Can rhubarb grow in shade?
Rhubarb thrives in well-draining soil and full sunlight, although it can tolerate partial shade. It’s best positioned at the edges or corners of vegetable patches, ensuring its large leaves don’t overshadow smaller plants. Make sure it’s away from plants with which it might compete or conflict.
Can you grow raspberries near rhubarb?
We have had success growing raspberries and blueberries near rhubarb, although the harvest times differ. Here is our rhubarb, below, growing next to the raspberries. On the other side, hidden from view, is a small strawberry patch. Which Herbs Grow Well with Rhubarb?