You want to divide you rhubarb every 3 to 4 years to avoid it from becoming overcrowded. This is best done in the spring once the ground can be worked and before leaves appear. Dividing rhubarb in the spring gives the plant the entire growing season to rebuild roots and root reserves in preparation for winter.
It is recommended to not harvest rhubarb from divided plants the first year because it allows all of the energy produced by the first-year foliage to go back into the root system.
Hi Margaret,
You want to divide you rhubarb every 3 to 4 years to avoid it from becoming overcrowded. This is best done in the spring once the ground can be worked and before leaves appear. Dividing rhubarb in the spring gives the plant the entire growing season to rebuild roots and root reserves in preparation for winter.
It is recommended to not harvest rhubarb from divided plants the first year because it allows all of the energy produced by the first-year foliage to go back into the root system.