"NC" wrote in message ...
Well... its 'almost' first year. I bought 2 crows from the garden centre -
there were about 3 stalks on each of the two crowns that were about 12"
long. Therefore not sure if this technically first or second year ?

I planted it out in about Feb using lots of manure and bone meal - it has
thrived. Each crown now has about 10-12 thick stalks, with nice large
leaves.

I have read that rhubarb should not be picked in the first year so as to
ensure the roots are strong. However, it really is starting to spread and
looks very healthy. Should I resist the urge to remove some stalks for the
pot, and just allow the leaves and stalks to die back in their own time ?
Or can I pick some... but will this stunt the growth of the root system ?

Click the link for more than you ever thought you'd want to know about
rhubarb - it is a Mercan site but very informative :-)

http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/

Chris S