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How to Grow Rhubarb 'Timperley Early'

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Rhubarb 'Timperley Early'

Rheum rhabarbarum 'Timperley Early'

vegetable

Timperley Early is a classic British heirloom rhubarb variety known for producing tender, thin-skinned red stalks earlier in the season than most cultivars. It is a perennial plant that dies back to the ground each winter and re-emerges in spring, providing harvests year after year with minimal maintenance. This variety is prized for its excellent flavor and early availability, making it a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers.

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Example Rhubarb 'Timperley Early' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Rhubarb 'Timperley Early'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Rhubarb 'Timperley Early'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Rhubarb 'Timperley Early' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily for best production and flavor
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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist during growing season; reduce water in fall as plant prepares for dormancy.
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Spacing: 36 inches
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Days to maturity: Plants mature in 2-3 years from crown division; can harvest lightly in year 2, fully in year 3+
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Planting depth: Crown bud should be at or just below soil surface; roots planted 4-6 inches deep

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter content
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost (2-3 inches worked in annually) Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coir Bone meal for phosphorus

Growing Zones

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Zones 3-8, with best performance in zones 4-7. Requires cold winters for optimal dormancy and spring vigor.

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

1

Dormancy

November-March (4-5 months)

Plant appears dead with no visible foliage; dormant crown rests underground during winter months.

Mulch heavily (4-6 inches) with compost or straw after ground freezes to protect crowns. Remove mulch gradually in early spring as soil thaws.

2

Spring Emergence & Growth

4-6 weeks (early April-May in zone 5)

Red leaf buds and petioles (stalks) emerge from dormant crown; leaves unfurl rapidly as temperatures warm.

Remove mulch as growth begins. Apply balanced fertilizer or compost top-dressing when shoots are 2-3 inches tall. Ensure consistent watering as growth accelerates.

3

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Large heart-shaped leaves expand fully; stalks grow thicker and longer, with the characteristic red coloring of this variety showing throughout.

Water deeply 1-1.5 inches per week. Remove any flower stalks (seed heads) that appear to direct energy to stalk production. Fertilize monthly with balanced NPK or side-dress with compost.

4

Peak Harvest Period

6-10 weeks (May-June/July)

Stalks reach full size (12-18 inches) with tender texture and vibrant red color; plant is in active production.

Harvest stalks by grasping near the base and pulling sharply to remove completely from crown. Remove outer, older stalks first. Stop harvesting 4-6 weeks before expected frost to allow plant to strengthen for winter dormancy.

5

Summer Maturation & Dormancy Preparation

8-10 weeks (July-September)

Leaf growth slows; plants may begin to show stress in extreme heat. Energy shifts from stalk production to root and crown development.

Continue regular watering. Stop harvesting by mid-June/early July. Allow foliage to remain to build crown reserves. Reduce fertilizer applications. Prepare for dormancy as temperatures drop in fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Asparagus Strawberries Borage Chamomile Garlic Onions

Avoid planting near:

Potatoes Fennel Dill

Common Pests

  • Remove and destroy infested stalks; maintain plant vigor; use insecticidal soap if severe; sanitation of garden debris.

  • Hand-pick beetles in early morning; use row covers on young plants; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is heavy.

  • Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; plant in raised beds if necessary; remove and destroy affected plants; improve soil with compost.

  • and

    Mulch with coarse materials; hand-pick in early morning; use beer traps; encourage beneficial predators like ground beetles.

Uses

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Pies, Compotes & Preserves

Culinary

Timperley Early's thin skin and tender stalks make it exceptional for traditional rhubarb pies, crumbles, compotes, and jams. The early harvest allows for rhubarb desserts in late spring before other fruits ripen. [source]

🍳

Stewed Rhubarb & Beverages

Culinary

Delicious when stewed with sugar or honey as a dessert topping, or used in rhubarb juice and cordials. The bright red color makes visually appealing dishes. [source]

💊

Digestive & Laxative Properties

Medicinal

Rhubarb contains sennosides and anthraquinones that have been traditionally used to support digestion and act as a natural laxative. The root is more commonly used medicinally, though the stalks contain beneficial compounds. [source]

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Natural Dye Source

Household

Rhubarb roots and leaves produce yellow, pink, and red dyes that have been used in textile dyeing for centuries. The oxalic acid content in the plant creates vibrant hues. [source]

🦋

Early Season Pollinator Plant

Wildlife

When allowed to flower, rhubarb produces tall flower stalks with tiny yellowish-green flowers that provide early-season nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators before many other plants bloom. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin light harvesting in the second year (remove only a few stalks), and full harvesting from the third year onward. Harvest from April/May through June/early July, depending on your zone. Always remove stalks before they become tough and woody—pull at the base with a sharp twist. Never remove more than one-third of the plant's stalks at one time. Stop harvesting 4-6 weeks before the first fall frost to allow the plant to store energy for winter dormancy. The red variety 'Timperley Early' can be harvested when stalks are relatively young since they remain tender.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Timperley Early was bred in Timperley, England in the 1890s and has remained one of the most popular early rhubarb varieties worldwide for over 130 years.
  • 🌱 Rhubarb is botanically a vegetable (the edible petiole/stalk), but is legally classified as a fruit in the United States since 1947 for culinary and tariff purposes.
  • 🌱 Rhubarb leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and should never be eaten—they are toxic. Only the stalks are safe for consumption.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Crown Cultivar Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Perennial
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