Rhubarb help needed!

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Every year I promise myself I won't start picking my rhubarb too early as it then doesn't pick up again.

This year the best plant has huge stalks on already. It seems super early. Should I pick?
Will it grow better later if I leave it now? I always leave 2+ decent leaves.

All tips appreciated. I love rhubarb!

I’ve never seen rhubarb flowers.

Yes they like a lot of space and if its been in for a few years it will definitely appreciate it. I split mine a couple of weeks ago (completely the wrong time but it still looks healthy enough) and the root was ginormous, it had flowered the last couple of years, I'm hoping it won't this year. Autumn/winter is the best time I think though.

So I cut some today, about 10 big stalks, still loads left. Will it be ok, even though I didn't pull them?

Honestly I never realised cutting rhubarb was an option but a quick google the US sites seem to say you can do either, the RHS site says pull rather than cut as it avoids rotting the remaining stump.

I wouldn’t worry too much I guess it’s what you’ve done before and the plant is fine. Maybe pull from now though. 🌱

It's not my rhubarb plant, it's my neighbours and I knocked to ask if I could have some! I'm sure it's fine. It's how I cut my courgettes off so just thought it would be the same 😂

My rhubarb is trying to take over the garden! I am on the edge of the "famous" Yorkshire triangle for rhubarb growing - rhubarb does really well round here and this variety Temperely early is brilliant. I'm planning strawberry and rhubarb jam and rhubarb vodka.

I'm so envious of you all- no garden, and have been stalking the supermarket for weeks. I could eat rhubarb every day, tbh.

Utterly so could I, sadly mine only has a few stalks so far. I do pinch it from family members garden, some people see it as a weed but I love it.

What do you do with your rhubarb apart from crumbles? We always have too much and looking for new ideas

I usually offer mine to friends and neighbours on facebook

thisusernameun Jamie Oliver has a lovely pork belly with rhubarb recipe which is gorgeous as well.

Rhubarb upsideown cake?
Rhubarb jam?
Gin?
Rhubarb and custard tarts?

I freeze it and use it throughout the year, mainly for crumbles and cakes.

It's lovely stewed with yogurt and seeds/nuts for brekky or I stew and use in overnight oats

How can you need help with rhubarb?

I have one, it's in the ground, it comes up, I do nothing too it and it produces far more rhubarb than one small family could ever possibly need, even if we ate only rhubarb for the whole season.

Just started coming up now.

Mine has only small growth so far. I’m in London and it’s at the back of my small garden under a tree where it’s a bit dry and shady. I don’t have enough space to devote to it really but I love it.

I was taught to pull it too, by my DF many moons ago

Mine is in the shade, maybe that’s why it’s not huge yet, it does look like it’s going to have quite a bit on it once it gets going,

Mine is rampant! Absolutely huge, I've picked loads today and there's still tons left on it. Crumble and a cake, I think...

@BobTheDuvet yes I'm making rhubarb gin it's my first try so I don't know how or will turn out. Ready in 4 weeks!
@Thecatisboss I'm on the edge of the triangle too and my rhubarb is fabulous - isn't it great! Im growing all sorts this year and hoping the soil works it's magic

This is my beauty. Not massive, but we've inherited it, so I'm fairly excited about reaping the rewards of someone else's dedication! I'll make her some rhubarb gin as a thank you!

That pic doesn't actually do it justice, the leaves are waist high.

@AnnaMagnani 😂 I know!!! Just had a feeling the last couple of years that it 'could have done better'.
Pulled some today. Usually cut it so that might help.
I love my rhubarb - most goes to jam making with dd.