First year of rhubarb - can I harvest it now?

[bondgirl77]

Planted rhubarb last year, and it's now started coming through strong and healthy. Can I harvest it this year, or will I damage the plant? Also, if you do harvest it, do you take the lot, or leave some alone?

Thanks!

I'd just harvest a few pieces to allow it to mature.

Saying that I love rhubarb, I planted 8 lots last year and I'll have to stop myself from scoffing the lot!

Pull the stalks, don't cut. The more you pull (within reason) the more vigarous it becomes IMO. I've already eaten my first rhubarb of the year!

To harvest the stalks, do a push, twist and pull action all at once Should come away cleanly with a tapering bit at the end. If you look at the plant it will tell you if you are doing it right

How do you stop it flowering then?

Thanks! Know it sounds thick but was it obviously a flower.

My allotment rhubarb flowered last year. I have never seen it do that before! Does it need any tlc after getting the reproductive urge?
My home plant just keeps pushing up leaves. Maybe that's because I pick so much rhubarb from it! My family are sick of the sight of rhubarb crumble... I can't get enough of it.