[Rincon]

so some of you will have seen a earlier post by myself about how poor my rhubarb has been over the last 2 years.

I noticed today that there are a few stalks that are big enough to harvest, however, is it too late? Will it taste very nice or will it have gone stringy? And lastly because it's always been so poor am I better to leave it well alone, feed it up and hope for the best next year?

Thank you!

[AlaninCarlisle]

I had a similar problem with poor yields a few years ago. I transformed the situation by replanting in another, less shaded part of the plot

As to whether or not your stalks will be edible, frankly, I'd leave them well alone. They may very well be dryish and stringy, but more to the point you may well weaken the plant by harvesting them so late. Let them die back and then sometime in January dig up the entire clump and replant it well-manured soil in a sunny position

[Aunt Sally]

I agree. Dig up and divide it about every 5 years.  My father always left the roots on the ground to frost a bit before replanting it.... but that's not what the RHS say:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=544#section-3

This is John's advice:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/grow-your-own/rhubarb.php

[mumofstig]

If the plant is weak, why make it weaker by taking away it's food factories ( the leaves)?

It needs to store the goodness from the leaves/stalks to make it through the winter, so don't pick it until Spring.

[Rincon]

Thanks everyone. Will leave it and fed it!