April is when rhubarb wakes up and stretches toward the sun.
Those thick red stalks and big ruffled leaves are just getting started, and they need your help to grow strong.
If you take care of your rhubarb in April, you’ll set it up for a successful season of sweet-tart stalks and lush growth.
Whether you’re growing rhubarb for the first time or have a well-established patch, this month is crucial.
It’s not a high-maintenance plant, but rhubarb responds best to the right kind of attention—especially now.
Let’s walk through everything your rhubarb needs this April, from cleaning up the bed to protecting it from sneaky pests.
This is the time to make sure your plant is ready for a great season.
Tidy Up the Bed for a Fresh Start
Before your rhubarb really starts growing, it’s important to clear the area.
If you didn’t remove last year’s dead stalks or fallen leaves, do it now.
Old plant material can hide bugs and diseases that will mess with new growth.
Use gloves and gently pull away anything soft, rotted, or dry from around the crown.
Don’t dig too deep—you don’t want to disturb the roots.
Remove any weeds while you’re at it.
Rhubarb doesn’t like competition, and weeds steal water and nutrients.
Think of this cleanup as laying down a clean welcome mat for spring.
A tidy garden bed helps rhubarb start strong and grow without stress.
Check the Soil Before You Water or Feed
Soil is the foundation of every healthy rhubarb plant.
Before you add anything—fertilizer, water, mulch—check what your soil is doing.
Stick your finger into the soil about two to three inches deep.
If it feels wet and cold, wait a few days before watering or feeding.
Rhubarb roots can rot in soggy soil, especially if it’s heavy or clay-like.
If the soil feels too packed, mix in some compost to loosen it up.
This helps drainage and adds nutrients your rhubarb will love.
You can also test the pH.
Rhubarb grows best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
If it’s too low (acidic), a little garden lime can help.
Taking time to check your soil now prevents problems later—and your plant will thank you for it.
Feed Your Plant for Energy and Growth
Rhubarb is a fast grower, and it pulls a lot of nutrients from the soil.
If you want tall, thick stalks and healthy leaves, you’ll need to feed it in April.
You can use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 5-10-10.
Sprinkle it around the plant, about six inches away from the crown.
Work it gently into the top layer of soil and water it in well.
You can also use organic options like composted manure or worm castings.
Just make sure they’re well-aged and not too strong—fresh manure can burn the roots.
Another great choice is bone meal, which gives your plant extra phosphorus to support sturdy stalks.
Feeding your rhubarb now gives it the boost it needs to grow quickly and produce strong, flavorful stalks all season long.
Water Just Enough, But Not Too Much
In April, the weather can be unpredictable.
Some days are warm and sunny, and others are cold and wet.
Your rhubarb doesn’t need a ton of water this early, but it does need consistent moisture.
Check the soil every few days.
If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
If it still feels damp, wait a little longer.
When you water, aim for the base of the plant—not the leaves.
Soaker hoses or a gentle shower setting on your watering can works well.
Avoid splashing the crown, especially if the weather is still cool.
Too much water around the crown can lead to rot.
Aim for about one inch of water per week in early spring.
More if the weather is warm and dry, less if it’s rainy and overcast.
Your goal is to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Add Mulch to Hold in Moisture and Block Weeds
Once your rhubarb starts growing, mulch can help lock in moisture and keep the soil temperature steady.
It also helps stop weeds from popping up around your plant.
Use straw, pine needles, shredded leaves, or compost.
Spread a two-to-three-inch layer around the plant, but leave a little space around the crown.
You don’t want the mulch pressing right up against the base of the plant.
That can trap moisture and cause crown rot.
Mulch breaks down slowly, feeding the soil as it goes.
It’s one of those quiet jobs that does a lot of heavy lifting in the background.
A well-mulched rhubarb patch will need less water and have fewer weeds—and that means less work for you later on.
Consider Dividing Old Plants
If your rhubarb plant is looking crowded or the stalks are getting thin, it might be time to divide.
April is a good month to do this, especially before the plant has put out too much growth.
Start by digging up the entire crown with a sharp spade.
You’ll see thick roots and several “eyes”—those are the growing points.
Use a clean knife or shovel to cut the crown into chunks, making sure each piece has at least one or two healthy eyes and a good section of root.
Replant each division about three feet apart in a sunny spot.
Make sure the eyes are just below the soil surface.
Water them in gently and don’t harvest from the new divisions this year.
Dividing helps reinvigorate older plants and gives you more rhubarb down the road.
Stop the Flower Stalks Before They Steal Energy
At some point in April, your rhubarb might try to send up a flower stalk.
It’s tall, round, and rises straight from the middle of the plant.
It might even look pretty.
But don’t let it fool you—this flower means trouble for your harvest.
When rhubarb flowers, it starts putting energy into seed production instead of stalk growth.
You’ll notice the stalks start shrinking and slowing down.
So what should you do?
Snip the flower stalk at the base as soon as you see it.
Use clean garden shears or scissors and get as close to the crown as you can without damaging it.
Some plants may try to flower again later in the season.
Just keep removing them.
Stopping flowers helps your plant focus on what you really want—thick, delicious stalks.
Watch for Pests Before They Get Comfortable
Rhubarb doesn’t attract a lot of pests, but it’s not invincible.
In April, slugs, snails, and crown borers can show up early and cause damage.
Check around the base of the plant and under leaves for slimy trails or holes.
If you see slugs or snails, remove them by hand or set out traps made from shallow dishes of beer or citrus rinds.
For crown borers, look for wilting stalks or holes in the base.
If you find any, cut out the damaged area and dispose of it.
Keep the garden area clean, with no leftover debris or wet leaves.
Good air circulation and a clean bed make it harder for pests to settle in.
Early action now can save your plant from big trouble later.
When and How to Harvest
If your rhubarb plant is in its second or third year, you may be able to start harvesting stalks by late April.
If it’s in its first year, don’t pick anything yet.
Let it grow and build strong roots.
For older plants, only harvest stalks that are 10–15 inches long and about as thick as your thumb.
To harvest, grab the stalk near the base and gently pull it with a twisting motion.
Don’t cut the stalks—pulling encourages new growth, while cutting can damage the crown.
Never harvest more than one-third of the plant at once.
You want to leave enough stalks behind to keep the plant growing strong.
Keep checking your plant every few days.
Stalks can grow quickly in spring, and picking them regularly helps the plant stay productive.
Remember—The Leaves Are Toxic
Here’s one rule you never want to forget: rhubarb leaves are poisonous.
They contain oxalic acid, which can make people and pets very sick.
Never eat the leaves, and never use them in cooking.
After you harvest a stalk, cut off the leaf and discard it.
You can compost rhubarb leaves safely—just don’t add them to food scraps or pet treats.
When harvesting, make sure you keep the leaves away from your kitchen.
It’s an easy rule, but a very important one.
Stick to the stalks, and you’ll be safe.
Set the Stage for a Strong Season
Everything you do in April sets the tone for your rhubarb’s entire growing season.
The feeding, the watering, the weeding—all of it helps your plant grow stronger, faster, and more productive.
Even small efforts now, like pulling out a few weeds or adding compost, make a big difference by the time May rolls around.
Keep checking in on your plant.
Watch the stalks grow taller and the leaves stretch wider each week.
Take notes if you want to track what works best.
You’ll learn a lot just by observing.
And when the season picks up, you’ll be glad you gave your rhubarb the attention it needed in April.
Final Thoughts
April is one of the most important months for rhubarb care.
It’s when the plant wakes up, starts growing, and sets the foundation for a full, healthy season.
Whether you’re feeding it, watering it, dividing old plants, or protecting it from pests, each small step you take adds up to a big result.
Don’t rush the harvest, and don’t forget to remove any flower stalks that pop up.
Your plant is storing energy now that it will use all year long.
So give it what it needs—clean soil, good food, steady water, and a little love.
Rhubarb may be a tough plant, but it grows best with a gardener who’s paying attention.
Take the time in April, and your reward will come in thick, juicy stalks ready for crisps, pies, sauces, and more.
This is just the beginning of a great season.