"K" wrote in message
...
: NC writes
: 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 ?
:
: You should not be picking this late in the season a) because you need to
: build up healthy crowns to generate good growth next year b) because
: allegedly the oxalic levels in the stems increases later in the year,
: and it is not particularly good for you.
: --
: Kay

but people do, for some reason, and they seem to enjoy it and suffer no bad
effects. Myself, I can think of much better 'fruit' to eat at this time of
year