Rhubarb is a popular as it is one of the first crops that can be harvested and tends to be easy to maintain, as long as it is in the best spot in your garden. Geoff Stebbings, and founder of , has shared that one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming rhubarb will grow just anywhere in the since it is such a low-maintenance plant.

He said: "Rhubarb is a large, greedy plant. Because it is simple to grow it is often planted in some-out-of -the-way spot where it will grow but not really thrive. Rhubarb benefits from being planted carefully."

Rhubarb is often planted in shady corners of the garden or in pots, but it actually needs plenty of sunlight and rich, organic soil to grow its tasty stalks.

It requires at least six hours of sun per day and consistently moist soil and without this, the stalks can become tough and woody, making them far less appetising to eat.

As temperatures rise, a stressed rhubarb plant is also more likely to flower prematurely, which significantly shortens the harvesting season.

Geoff said: "It prefers a moist, rich soil and a sunny spot. It will tolerate part shade but is better in sun. Clay soils are ideal if you dig in lots of organic matter.

"Sandy soils that are dry in summer are more of a problem because the plants need summer moisture or they collapse in the heat and die back early."

He added: "Rhubarb is one of the few crops I would not recommend for patio pots. The plants are too hungry and need too much watering and feeding. And they will die down in summer if stressed and they look awful."

If you want to keep rhubarb alive it needs a place where it will get the full sun to help it grow bigger and even sweeter-tasting stalks.

However, if you cannot move it or just want to ensure it grows properly then the best way to care for rhubarb is to mulch it with compost or manure.

Mulching is the simple gardening technique of putting organic matter around a plant which will slowly break down over time to feed the plant.

Not only will mulching give rhubarb a nutrient boost and make the soil richer but it helps retain water, which is important for this thirsty plant as it requires consistent moisture.

Geoff said: "Fork in lots of compost or well-rotted manure. Then keep the plants free from weeds and well watered. After that there is not much to do and you will be able to take a crop every spring. The large, spreading foliage will suppress most weeds."

If you mulch rhubarb and have it planted in the sun then it should continue to produce big sweet stalks to make into crumbles, pies or tarts until late June.