You can harvest the stalks soon as the large leaves have fully opened
up. I have some strawberry rhubarb. The stalks are excellent right
now. A health plant will be able to handle a heavy cutting, but I would
advise you not to cut more than half and take only the large stalks so
the plant can continue growing. When the flower stalks come up, (they
will be round in cross section and the center hollow) imediately remove
and discard in your composter. The flower stalk will draw a lot of
vitality from the plant. Enjoy.

Scott Parker wrote:
On Fri, 2 May 2003 14:12:37 -0400, "Barbara Beardsley"
wrote:


This will be my first harvesting of rhubarb
So how do I tell if it's ready?


As soon as the stalks are long and thick, it's ready. Don't leave it
too late in the season to pick or it will get fibrous.


Also I read that you should always cook it- it's too tart to be eaten raw??


Myself, I don't eat it raw, but I do know someone who loves to eat it
raw. It's a matter of taste, I guess.

Scott