Victoria Crown Rhubarb loves full, direct sun 6-8 hours a day. This helps the stalks get thick and juicy. It can do some shade in really hot temps, but shade stunts the growth of the stalks.

Victoria Crown Rhubarb is a hardy plant, but it hates soggy soil. It's best in well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral—say, a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, give or take a little.

Getting Rhubarb in the ground before it starts growing is the key. This means early spring for most climates -- March and April. In warmer zones like 7 or 8, possibly late Winter.

Victoria Crown Rhubarb loves organic matter, so a loamy soil mixed with compost, aged manure or peat moss is perfect. Again, make sure it's well drained.

Heavy clay and sandy soils are doable. With clay, add some sand or organic matter to improve drainage. For sandy soil, add compost to improve moisture and nutrient retention.

Dig a hole about 12-18 inches deep and wide; the buds should about 1-2 inches below the surface. Give it a good water. If you run into frost, a little mulch will protect the shoots.

Rhubarb is pretty resistant to deer and rabbits because the leaves are toxic. Even if they nibble on a stalk, the tart flavor is likely to deter them from making a full meal out of it. Still, it wouldn't hurt to put up a low fence or some netting to help starter plants in the first year.

Ensure the spot isn’t crowded—rhubarb needs space. Plant crowns 3-4 feet apart for airflow, preventing issues like crown rot or powdery mildew. Top-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer each spring after year one. Avoid overwatering.