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Ian B[_3_] · 13-04-2012, 08:04 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

Roger Tonkin wrote:
In article ,
lid says...

Alan Holmes wrote:
"Dave Hill" wrote in message
...
On Apr 10, 8:45 pm, Janet wrote:
In article ,
says...

My rhubarb has come on very well this year (uncovered and not
forced). So much so that I am tempted to pick some of the larger
stalks (9-12 inches long). I've never picked this early before,
usually starting early-mid May, so I am wondering if it is wise to
pick this early, especially as ground frost is still forecast
occassionally this week.

Why not? Logically it will do less harm to the plant than picking
off two foot stems with huge leaves on.

We always start picking ours at 6 inches; it's very sweet and
tender at that stage. We've been picking for three weeks :-)

Janet

In my youth we always put a bucket over a couple of crowns to get
some early rhubarb

For the first time ever that is just what I have done!

Alan

I harvested my first rhubarb (ever!) yesterday and made a delicious
little crumble. What I'm wondering is, how much is it safe to pick
before it starts weakening and damaging the plant? I don't want to
overdo it.

Ian

Depends on the plant! How old is it?

If it is in its first or second year, dont over do it. I always leave
at least on stalk per crown/bud, often two. Also stop picking in July
so that it has chance to build itself up for the winter - they also
say that after July there are toxin's or something in the stalks, but
I'm still here and I've been eating rhubarb till mid/late August for
may years.

I planted it late in 2010, all the leaves died off and I thought it was dead
but it roared into life last spring

I left it all last year to establish without harvesting anything. I've just
been out and counted and there are 20 stalks on it at various stages, plus I
ate 3 yesterday. It looks quite robust and has been shooting like mad, at
least by my estimation anyway.

Once it is really well establish, pick it as hard as you want, it is
quite difficult to kill! Don't forget to cut off the flowering shoots.

Ah. I don't see anything that looks like a flower shoot currently. I take it
I should cut them off as early as possible when they appear?

Ian