[Amberangel]

Hi, I have looked in various books but cannot seem to find a definative answer! We planted  a couple of new rhubarb plants earlier in the year. They are growing vigorously but everywhere I have read says do not harvest them the first year. My question is what do I do with all the growth from this year. Do I leave it there til it dies back or .....??  Can anyone help?   

[DD.]

As you say, leave it there until it dies back.

[hamstergbert]

Apart from the odd bit of tidying up it is best to leave those big green photosynthetic chemical factory leaves to chuck as much strength into the young crown as possible.

That said, when I transplanted some grown from seed into my sister's garden she took a few sticks away as 'tidying' in year one without too much adverse effect - although her version of 'tidying' was to bung the tidied sticks under some crumble!

[radiohead]

If you cant resist it ......you wont do any harm taking a few sticks from a plant once only,as long as they are growing really well.

[Amberangel]

Many thanks for the advice. I'll just leave it where it is I think. I looks so healthy so hopefully when I come to harvest next year it will look the same!!!