In the world of gardening, plants have secret alliances, working together to deter pests, enrich the soil, and even enhance each others growth.
Rhubarb, often celebrated for its tangy taste and bright pink stalks, plays an even bigger role in the garden than you might expect.
In this guide, Ill unveil the magic behind rhubarb companion plants, helping you transform your garden into a haven of harmonious growth and flavor-packed harvests.
Dive in to discover which plants thrive alongside rhubarb, which ones to keep at bay, and how to make the most of this perennial favorite.
For many gardeners, the rich, deep hues of rhubarb stalks signify the onset of warmer months and the promise of desserts to come.
Beyond its culinary fame, however, lies a lesser-known but equally important facet of the rhubarb plant: its potential in the world of companion planting.
It not only aids other plants in their growth but can also be a shield against certain pests.
Firstly, understanding these relationships can save gardeners time and effort by reducing the need for chemical pest controls and fertilizers.
A well-organized garden, where rhubarb companions are strategically placed, can harness natures 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.
With the right companions, rhubarb can flourish and provide even more of those tart, delicious stalks for springtime recipes.
Rhubarb is a popular perennial vegetable that produces tasty stalks used in desserts, jams, and more While rhubarb goes well with certain companion plants, other plants can stunt its growth or compete for nutrients. Understanding bad companion plants for rhubarb enables you to optimize your garden layout for the healthiest, most productive plants
Why Companion Planting Matters
Companion planting is based on the idea that certain plants can benefit or inhibit others when grown in close proximity. It is an integral part of organic gardening and promotes plant health without pesticides.
By avoiding bad companion plants, your rhubarb will thrive better. It will have the space, nutrients, and light needed for optimal growth. In addition, good companion plants can help deter pests or enrich the soil.
Worst Companion Plants for Rhubarb
Here are some of the worst companion plants for rhubarb that are best avoided
Potatoes
Potatoes and rhubarb often compete for nutrients, especially nitrogen, when grown together. Both require fertile, nutrient-rich soil Grouping them together can overload the soil, leading to stunted growth.
Tomatoes
While tomatoes thrive in many gardens, they are not a suitable match for rhubarb. Tomatoes can attract pests that may then spread to the rhubarb. Overshadowing from tomato plants can also inhibit rhubarb growth.
Broccoli, Cabbage and Other Brassicas
Like potatoes, brassicas are heavy feeders that can deprive rhubarb of essential nutrients. Their similar growth habits and nutritional needs are a recipe for stunted crops.
Beans
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil. While nitrogen is beneficial for some plants, rhubarb thrives better in soil with lower nitrogen levels. Too much can make the rhubarb foliage abundant but the stalks small and underdeveloped.
Peppers
Peppers and rhubarb are rarely compatible. They compete for nutrients, often resulting in decreased yields for both crops. Peppers also dislike the moist soil preferred by rhubarb.
Cucumbers
The vigorous growth of cucumber vines can overwhelm rhubarb’s needs for space, air circulation and direct sunlight. Nutrient and moisture competition is also likely.
Corn
Tall corn plants, especially when densely planted, can block sunlight from reaching shorter rhubarb. Lack of light will inhibit rhubarb growth and reduce yields.
Melons
Like cucumbers and corn, melon vines spread extensively and monopolize space, light, nutrients and moisture. Keep rhubarb away from melon plantings.
Strawberries
Surprisingly, strawberries are not an ideal match for rhubarb, despite their pairing in desserts. In the garden, they compete for nutrients and moisture. Proximity can reduce yields of both.
How to Plant Rhubarb
When adding rhubarb to your garden, site it away from its incompatible companions. Target a sunny, open spot with organically rich soil.
Divide rhubarb roots in early spring and plant the crowns 2-3 inches deep, spaced 3 feet apart. Water deeply and mulch well. Harvest stalks the following year. Remove flower stalks to encourage leaf and stem growth.
Every 4-5 years, lift plants, divide roots and replant the healthiest pieces. Rejuvenate planting beds with compost or manure before replanting.
Suitable Rhubarb Companions
While some plants spell trouble for rhubarb, others make excellent neighbors. Consider pairing your rhubarb with:
- Chives
- Garlic
- Daffodils
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Spinach
These compatible plants enrich soil, provide shade or pest protection, and occupy different garden spaces or niches than rhubarb.
With knowledge of crop compatibilities, you can design a thriving garden ecosystem. Ensure your rhubarb has room to flourish among friendly plant companions for maximal yield.
Benefits of Rhubarb in the Garden
Rhubarb, while commonly recognized for its bright pink stalks and role in delicious desserts, also stands tall as a formidable ally in the garden ecosystem.
This perennial favorite offers several advantages, making it an essential player in holistic and sustainable gardening.
While rhubarb may be enticing to us humans, especially in a pie, certain pests find it repelling.
Many gardeners have fewer issues with pests like leaf beetles when rhubarb is nearby.
This means that the surrounding plants benefit from this natural shield, reducing the damage and ensuring healthier growth.
Beyond its pest-repelling properties, rhubarb has another ace up its sleeve.
Its large, expansive leaves sprawl across the garden floor, acting as a natural ground cover.
This “living mulch” maintains soil moisture, prevents excessive evaporation on hot days, and curbs the growth of unwanted weeds.
With its shade, rhubarb also aids in preserving the soils organic matter, leading to richer, more fertile ground over time.
The deep-rooted nature of rhubarb means it can draw nutrients from deeper soil layers, which are often untapped by other plants.
As the rhubarb plant sheds its leaves and they decompose, these nutrients are returned to the topsoil, benefiting the plants around it.
To learn more about companion planting, check out my guides:
Can you plant zucchini next to rhubarb?
Yes, zucchini and rhubarb generally coexist peacefully in the garden.
Zucchini plants appreciate the partial shade provided by rhubarbs broad leaves during scorching summer days, which can prevent zucchini blossoms from scorching.
To learn more about growing zucchini, check out my guide Maximize Your Zucchini Harvest: Companion Planting Guide.
Everything About Companion Planting Is a LIE
FAQ
What does rhubarb like to be planted in?
Rhubarb will grow and produce in most soils, but grows best in fertile, loamy, well-drained soil that has good organic matter content.
Why do you put a bucket over rhubarb?
Putting a bucket or other container over rhubarb is a technique called “forcing,” which encourages the plant to produce earlier, sweeter, and more tender stems. By excluding light and trapping heat, forcing causes the rhubarb to grow rapidly towards the light source, resulting in pale, elongated stalks.
What does rhubarb repel?
Oxalic acid in the leaf blades (not petioles) of rhubarb can help repel flea beetles. Row cover, although a synthetic material, can last several years with care. An infusion of tansy, growing here with goldenrod, may repel Colorado potato beetles.
What is the secret to growing rhubarb?
The key to successful rhubarb cultivation lies in proper planting, soil preparation, and consistent care. Rhubarb thrives in cool climates with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Planting in early spring or fall, ensuring good drainage, and enriching the soil with organic matter are crucial steps.