Betty Ann Jones, age 13, of Dubuque, Iowa, for her question:

DOES A RHUBARB PLANT LAST SEVERAL YEARS?

Rhubarb is an interesting plant that has thick, acid leaf stalks that are used for food in many countries. Rhubarb is usually used to make pie filling, preserves or sauces. The plants may live for 20 years or more.

There are about 25 different species of the deep rooted perennials. They were at first grown only in Asia but are now widely used.

New rhubarb plants are grown by dividing clumps of plants that are already growing. They are planted in spring, four to five feet apart. If you want to introduce the plant to your garden, you can buy small starts in many nurseries. They should then be planted in soft, moist soil.

The plants should be cultivated and heavily fertilized. The plants will then continue to provide crops for 20 or more year, starting with the second year.

The flowers of the plant should be removed to give the stalks strength.