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I've been given a couple of crowns of rhubarb, and as I've never
grown it before, I'd be obliged for any/all tips from the
expert rhubarbologists amongst you.

Rhubarb isn't particular about aspect but it does like rich feeding
and benefits enormously from a good start. So dig a big hole for each
crown, a metre apart and at least a 2ft cube each, and load in as much
rotted animal manure and home made compost you can lay hands on. If your
dog has some left-over bones, or there's some roadkill handy, drop those
in at the bottom first.

In the first season after planting, rhubarb needs its leaves to help
grow a big root system, so only pick a couple of stems for a taste. In
subsequent seasons you can pick as much as you want. You can force an
early tender crop by putting an old dustbin upside down over a crown in
January. (Don't force the same crown two years running).I prefer to eat
the slim tender stems not the thick short ones. Cut off any flowerbuds
that appear. Each autumn when the plant dies down, heavily mulch the
soil round it with compost or manure. Learn to make real pouring custard
with eggs and cream :-)

After the end of July, rhubarb develops a high acid content so isn't
recommended eating then, for babies or anyone with kidney problems, gout
or arthritis.

Janet.