The period most conducive to successfully relocating established rhubarb plants revolves around the plant’s dormancy. This inactive phase, characterized by a cessation of growth, minimizes stress on the plant’s root system during the disturbance caused by digging and replanting. Timing the procedure with the plant’s natural rest cycle greatly enhances its capacity to re-establish itself in a new location.
Moving rhubarb during its dormancy offers several advantages. Primarily, the absence of active foliage reduces the plant’s water requirements, lessening the burden on the roots as they acclimate to their new surroundings. Furthermore, the cooler temperatures typically associated with dormancy diminish the risk of transplant shock, a condition where the plant struggles to absorb water and nutrients. Historically, farmers and gardeners have long recognized the importance of working with plant life cycles to improve success rates in horticultural practices.
