Billy wrote in

ct.net.au:

Odd, mine put up flower stalks all last year and never
missed a beat. They died back in the winter. But you've got
me wondering. I've never divided my rhubarb (at least 12
years old) and it appears that there are at least three
crowns. I did mulch and fertilize it extensively last year.
I guess I should start looking for new beds for my 'barb.
Wonder if I should hand out cigars?

heh. my 30' row hasn't been divided in at least 10 years,
although i have cut off a couple end of row new crowns to get
my friends started on a rhubarb addiction...
when in the season the tops melt depends on a few factors
including heat & humidity, amount of light, water,
geographical location, luck...
last year my rhubarb flowered & melted before the end of
June. this year it's still growing like mad & i've only seen
one flowerstalk. it's cooler this year.
last year i ended up buying fresh rhubarb from a farm near my
summer place in NY in July because mine was all gone & i
hadn't gotten any into the freezer. i asked the farmer how he
kept his going. he used rowcovers for shade & cold water drip
irrigation. said he could usually keep it going through July
that way.
i noticed the other day that there's a woodchuck hole hiding
in the rhubarb row... probably waiting for the pumpkins.
lee
--
Last night while sitting in my chair
I pinged a host that wasn't there
It wasn't there again today
The host resolved to NSA.