Rhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarum
Hardy perennial vegetable for cool-temperate regions, low maintenance with early spring harvest of tart stalks used in pies and sauces.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- Early spring (April) or early fall – Early spring (April) or early fall
- Harvest
- May-July – May-July
- Frost-free days
- 160+
Yield
- Typical yield
- 6 tons/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 8 years
- Years to full prod.
- 3
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Established crop with known regional buyers
Price Trend Stable/Up
Price stable over past 3 years
Supply Below Demand
Regional supply roughly balanced with demand
Multiple Buyer Channels
Multiple market channels: wholesale, retail, processing, and/or direct
Value-Added Potential
Strong value-added potential through processing, direct sales, or specialty products
Market Growth Projected
Stable market outlook
Market Channels
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Region's hardiness zone within crop range (3.0-8.0)
GDD Sufficient
GDD data not specified; crop is documented as viable at the regional hardiness zone
Precipitation Compatible
Regional precipitation (~40 in/yr) compatible with crop needs
Frost-Free Season OK
Frost-free season (160 days) meets crop requirement (160 days)
Chill Hours Met
Regional chill hours (1100) meet crop requirement (40+)
Climate Trend Favorable
Climate projections remain favorable for this crop in the region
Soil Compatibility
Soil Texture
Drainage
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Standard farm equipment compatible or easily adapted
Storage Available
Dry/ambient storage sufficient; commonly available on farms
Irrigation Compatible
Low water needs or rain-fed viable
Field Layout Suitable
Vineyard field layouts suitable for this crop
Labor Availability
Labor needs manageable with existing farm workforce
Processing Proximity
No nearby specialized processing; may need direct marketing or shipping
Equipment Requirements
planting
General power unit for bed preparation, cultivation, and mowing alleyways. Shared cost across a diversified vegetable operation.
Deep tillage essential before planting — rhubarb crowns grow 10+ years in place. Incorporate generous compost 12 inches deep prior to establishment.
Rhubarb is planted from crown divisions at 3-4 ft spacing — mechanical transplanters are not economic for this low-density, once-every-decade planting.
irrigation
Per-acre cost including mainline and laterals. Rhubarb needs consistent moisture in spring; drip also reduces crown rot risk versus overhead.
spraying
Sufficient for most rhubarb plantings under an acre. Rarely used given rhubarb needs minimal chemical inputs.
cultivation
Heavy mulch (4-6 inches) around crowns suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, and moderates soil temperature. Renewed annually.
Hand weeding between crowns is standard; rototilling too close causes crown damage. Wheel hoe useful in-row on small acreages.
harvesting
Stalks are twisted and pulled from crowns by hand; knives used only for trimming leaves in field. Leaves discarded in field (toxic due to oxalic acid).
Per-crate cost. Waxed cardboard or plastic totes hold 20-25 lb bunches. Stalks handle best when laid flat rather than stacked upright.
post_harvest
Rapid cooling to 32-34°F within 2 hours of harvest doubles shelf life. Essential for wholesale channels; optional for farmers market sales.
Walk-in cooler for 2-4 week holding. High RH prevents wilting of petioles. Shared across other cool-season vegetables on most farms.
Simple stainless or plastic-top table for trimming, bunching, and rubber-banding stalks for retail display.
Storage Requirements
Fresh cold storage
Temperature
32–32°F
Humidity
95–100%
Max Storage
28 days
Frozen (blanched, cut)
Temperature
-10–0°F
Max Storage
365 days
Processed (juice, jam, syrup)
Temperature
60–75°F
Max Storage
540 days
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($30,000/acre) exceeds regional average
Input Costs Acceptable
Input costs are low to moderate
Payback Period OK
Reaches full production in 3 years; acceptable payback
Insurance Available
No federal crop insurance; NAP may be available for some disaster scenarios
Revenue Per Labor Hour
Revenue per labor hour ($600) is competitive
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $3//lb wholesale |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $10,000 |
| Annual Operating Cost | —/acre |
| Establishment Cost | —/acre |
| Total Input Cost | —/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $2,500 |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | — |
| Crop Insurance | Not available |
Source: MSU Extension E1577 Rhubarb; Oregon State Horticulture (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Low pest/disease pressure; manageable with standard IPM
Market Diversified
Market access diversified across multiple channels
Low Establishment Risk
Low establishment risk; quick to establish or low upfront investment
Climate Resilient
Hardy and resilient to climate variability in the region
Regulatory Burden Low
Minimal regulatory burden for production and sale
Diversifies Portfolio
Diversifies farm revenue away from grape monoculture
Known Risks
disease
Soilborne oomycete causing crown and root decay; most destructive rhubarb disease. Infected crowns rot at the base with reddish-brown lesions, leading to plant collapse.
Fungal disease causing small circular red spots that expand into large tan lesions with red borders. Severe infections cause leaf collapse and reduce petiole vigor.
Fungal disease causing yellowish-green spots with white centers that may drop out creating a shot-hole appearance. Cosmetic damage primarily.
pest
Large rust-colored snout weevil that lays eggs in the stalks and crowns, causing sap weeping from puncture wounds; larvae weaken crowns. Primary alternate host is curly dock.
Larvae bore into rhubarb petioles and crowns, causing wilting of individual stalks. Damage is typically scattered and does not warrant insecticide application.
Feed on young petioles and leaves in cool, moist conditions; damage is primarily cosmetic but can reduce marketability of retail bunches.
climate
Rhubarb requires 500+ hours below 4°C (40°F) to break dormancy properly. In warmer zones (USDA Zone 8+), plants produce thin petioles and decline within a few years.
Prolonged temperatures above 32°C (90°F) cause rhubarb to go dormant or decline. Petioles become thin, stringy, and develop reduced acidity; hot weather can also concentrate oxalate levels.
market
Fresh market rhubarb sells primarily April-June; demand drops sharply thereafter. Frozen and processed markets are thin and price-competitive.
Younger consumers are often unfamiliar with rhubarb preparation; toxic leaves require education at point of sale to avoid liability and consumer mistakes.
Nutritional Yield
Nutrition data pending.
Research agents will profile Rhubarb against USDA FoodData Central on the next maintenance pass. Per-acre nutritional yield will appear here once the per-100g panel is recorded.
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem service data pending.
The next research-agent rotation will document this crop's contributions to pollinator support, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
Nearby Buyers
Data Sources
Every data point on this page is traceable to its source. Below you'll find the complete provenance trail — which sources were used, when data was last verified, and a full change history.
Primary sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: lake_erie View economics source →
55 tracked changes across 9 data categories