"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , shannie
writes
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.

Pull some of your rhubarb stems Shan and enjoy eating them, or cutting
them up and freezing them for winter use. Both 1) and 2) can be true,
but as in most gardening, a little judgement needs to be exercised.
1) New rhubarb plants are often not ready for serious cropping in their
first, or even their second year, but as in your case some stems can be
taken. 2) By July, rhubarb stems can begin to harden and become stringy,
the very best crops are usually taken earlier than that. In the case of
young plants which have not been cropped, good tender stems can be
available even as late as September. Use some and see what they are
like, but don't take too many.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

Thanks Alan