[Beetroot queen]

From about the end of june rhubarb stops putting out new leaves.

My rhubarb doesn't know what it's supposed to do then 

Mine neither its still going mental but i am not picking it, soon it will reach four foot 

[salmonking]

ive got five new leaves sprouting this week!!!

[BobE]

I think its the end of July not June.  The season is a bit late this year as well.

[Yorkie]

think i'll leave mine with all it's leaves until they die back as they are new crowns. then go along with everyone else.

silly as it sounds i didn't even realise they die off over winter. another lesson learnt.

thanks all.

As it's a new plant definitely don't pick too much - it will reward you in future years if you don't harvest it much in the first year or so.

[vanessa.xx]

ooh I didn't know you were supposed to stop picking, I picked a lot yesterday as with the recent rain it has gone into overdrive and produced loads this last week 

[grinling]

I have left mine to recover, though the chooks like the leaves!!!
I had 2 move 2 rhubarbs recently in the heatwave and a dig up and replant a week apart. So I sat them for 24 hours in a tub of water and dug a hole in the front garden, added horse maure, plonked in and firmed down with a foot and watered very well and they are still alive!!
Back garden rhubarb will be split Sept/Oct and move to front... thus no rhubarb will be picked next year so it can recover.

[chrissie B]

ive taken a load off and given some more away its still sending up new shoots and theres no change in taste so happy days , I think every thing is a little later this year , I have one called ruby I think when cooked the juice went a wonderful red colour .
chrissie b

[Nikkithefoot]

I'm still picking mine, but only gently now. I will stop at the end of August. IMHO providing the plant is well established and it is well supported in terms of feeding (mine get a good thick mulch of manure every year) you can pick on a little longer.

I generally start harvesting from Mar / April taking only a few sticks. By May/ June things are in full swing and I take whatever I want, then during July / Aug I start easing off what I pick. Having said all that if it is a bad season and the plants don't look good I stop harvesting earlier.