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Janet · 03-08-2010, 12:46 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

In article ,
says...

In article ,
says...

Derek Turner wrote:
Yes it's true: the roots need this year to get established and store
energy for next year's shoots. Next and subsequent years you need to stop
harvesting about now to let the remaining leaves store energy in the
roots for the following year IYSWIM.

I think someone posted a while back that you shouldn't harvest rhubarb after
gooseberries are pickable. One of my rhubarbs is absolutely /begging/ to be
picked. It's huge and leafy and slightly triffid-like whilst everyone
else's is dead and gone already.
Am I allowed one last pick, please, mum?

I raised a query after a BBC gardening email said to stop picking at the
end of June! A few people said that this was correct, and I dont think
anyone disagreed.

However I've always picked my rhubarb until about mid-August and not
noticed a much degradation in crop the following year.

There are two separate issues. The first about picking weakening the
plant applies only to new plants.

The other , is about the level of oxalic acid in rhubarb; which
increases as the growing season progresses, and is the reason it's
recommended not to pick/eat it after midsummer. Especially for the
elderly, small children, and anyone with kidney stones or gout.

Janet