Can I Plant Rhubarb Near Blueberries? What You Need to Know

Red rhubarb and blueberries are both loved plants that are often found together in baked goods like pies and muffins. But how do these two plants do when planted next to each other in the garden? Should rhubarb and blueberries be kept separate or can they grow together?

As a long-time gardener who has grown both rhubarb and blueberries, I’ve discovered that this pairing can work but does require some special considerations In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of planting rhubarb near blueberries and explore some best practices for success

The Similarities Between Rhubarb and Blueberries

It’s helpful to know how the needs of rhubarb and blueberries overlap before deciding if they go well together. Here are a few key similarities between these two plants .

• Soil pH: Both prefer slightly acidic soil, around pH 5-6. This makes cohabitation simpler since they thrive in comparable conditions.

• Rhubarb can handle some shade, but both plants do best with at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. East or west-facing locations work well.

• Chilling requirement: To flourish, rhubarb and blueberries need a cold winter dormancy period. They do best in areas with frigid winters.

• Organic matter: Abundant organic material keeps the soil around both plants healthy. Compost, rotted manure, and mulch are ideal.

• Watering: These plants enjoy consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Their water needs are similar, so grouping them makes irrigation straightforward.

If you prepare and take care of them right, rhubarb and blueberries might do well together. But some precautions are needed too.

Concerns with Growing Rhubarb and Blueberries Together

While rhubarb and blueberries share some preferences, their differences could also cause problems when paired:

• Nutrient competition: Both plants are heavy feeders, especially of nitrogen. Without extra fertilizer, they may compete for nutrients, reducing yields.

• Allelopathy: Rhubarb leaves contain high oxalic acid levels, which can suppress blueberry growth. Keep rhubarb leaves from touching blueberries.

• Shade concerns: Rhubarb’s large, spreading leaves may overly shade blueberry bushes, resulting in reduced fruit production.

• Spacing needs: These sizable plants require adequate space to reach mature dimensions. Crowding leads to disease and poor air flow.

With planning and attentive care, these potential issues can be prevented. But gardeners must be diligent to accommodate each plant’s specific needs when pairing rhubarb and blueberries.

Best Practices for Growing Rhubarb and Blueberries Together

While challenging, growing robust, bountiful rhubarb and blueberries as companions is achievable using these methods:

• Test soil pH and amend if needed to reach ideal acidity of 4.5-6.0.

• Before planting, incorporate generous amounts of compost and organic material. Mulch yearly.

• Allow 3-4 feet between plants for good air circulation. Give blueberries a 6 foot diameter space.

• Position rhubarb carefully to prevent shading blueberry bushes. Keep to edges or corners.

• Use a balanced organic fertilizer to provide enough nitrogen for both heavy feeders.

• Install drip irrigation to maintain even soil moisture, especially around blueberry roots.

• Remove rhubarb leaves around blueberries to prevent toxicity. Never compost toxic leaves.

• Monitor both plants and immediately treat any disease issues. Improve conditions if plants struggle.

With vigilant care and prevention of problems from the start, rhubarb and blueberries can grow in tandem while reaching peak productivity.

Special Considerations for Container Growing

Growing rhubarb and blueberries together in pots and containers brings added challenges:

• Choose self-pollinating blueberry varieties to avoid needing multiple plants.

• Select compact rhubarb cultivars like ‘Victoria’ that won’t overwhelm containers.

• Use at least 20-gallon containers for each plant. Bigger is better to hold ample soil.

• Ensure containers have drainage holes to prevent overly wet soil and root rot.

• Position containers in an area receiving at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

• Amend potting mix with organic material like compost to enrich nutrient levels.

• Fertilize at least monthly to replace nutrients leaching from containers.

• Use drip irrigation for consistent moisture. Take care not to overwater.

With extra care, it’s possible to get modest harvests from container-grown rhubarb and blueberries.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with excellent methods, issues may pop up when interplanting rhubarb and blueberries. Watch for these potential problems:

• Stunted growth: This often results from nutrient competition without extra fertilizer. Apply balanced organic fertilizer.

• Pale leaves: Iron deficiency frequently occurs in high pH soils. Check and amend pH if needed and apply iron supplement.

• Small crops: Overcrowding, low nutrients, inadequate sunlight, or moisture stress can limit yields. Improve conditions.

• Rotting roots: Excess moisture leads to root rot. Allow soil to dry between waterings and ensure container drainage.

• Leggy growth: Insufficient sunlight causes leggy growth as plants reach for light. Relocate to a sunnier position.

• Wilting: Persistent wilting signals a watering issue. Check soil moisture daily and improve irrigation methods.

By catching issues early and making adjustments, most companion planting problems can be remedied.

Enjoying the Harvests

One joy of interplanting rhubarb and blueberries is combining their harvests into mouthwatering treats. Here are some harvesting tips:

• Stagger planting times to extend harvests from early summer into fall. Choose early and late cropping varieties.

• Harvest rhubarb stalks when they reach 1-2 inch diameter. Don’t remove more than 1/3 of stalks at once.

• For blueberries, pick when berries turn completely blue. Harvest in the coolest morning hours.

• Eat just-picked blueberries immediately or freeze extras for later use.

• Chop and freeze extra rhubarb stalks. Frozen rhubarb keeps for months.

• Bake into pies, jams, sauces, muffins or compotes. Blueberries balance rhubarb’s tart flavor.

With planning and diligent harvesting, a rhubarb and blueberry combo can yield months of fruity flavors.

Final Tips for Success

Companion planting blueberries and rhubarb together takes skill but can certainly succeed. Here are final tips:

• Amend soil at planting and regularly replenish with compost and mulch

• Provide supplemental organic fertilizer to prevent nutrient deficiencies

• Allow ample space between plants for air flow and growth

• Take care to minimize shading of blueberry bushes

• Supply consistent, even moisture at optimal levels

• Control wayward rhubarb leaves to prevent toxicity to blueberries

• Add supports like trellises as needed as plants mature

With knowledge of their specific needs, consistent care, and prevention of problems, rhubarb and blueberries can thrive together. Just stay attentive, and you’ll reap bountiful harvests of juicy berries and rosy stalks from this flavorful pair.

The Verdict: Go For It With Some Precautions

While tricky, with some extra planning it is indeed possible to successfully plant rhubarb near blueberries. Pay close attention to their spacing, soil, sunlight, moisture and nutrient needs. But the effort pays off with two productive, beautiful plants and doubled harvests. If you stay on top of their care, the pairing can work wonderfully.

So don’t be afraid to give companion planting a try with rhubarb and blueberries. Follow the best practices outlined above, and you may just find their sweet-tart harvests were made for each other.