We planted some rhubarb in April of this year, it sat there and did nothing
until about two weeks ago, now it's enormous..the plant is about 2ft high
and the leaves are huge, the stalks look lovely and we'd really like to eat
them but I have been reading that

1)....you must wait at least 12 - 18mths after planting before eating. and
2)....you mustn't eat rhubarb after July.

To both the above why? and to #2 is that after the begining or end of July?

If we cannot eat it should we at least take some of the leaves and stalks
away, there is lots of new growth underneath and Im wondering if the new
forming leaves need more light.

Thanks again
--

Shan (Ireland)
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