Hi, I planted a rhubarb early summer. It has grown very well and has some large stalks suitable for picking.

However I read that it is best to leave picking for a year to help enable the plant to be stronger. Will these big stalks (and leaves) be ok to just let them die back? I live in Taupo.

Hi Julie, newly planted rhubarb should be left for a season to grow and the stalks not harvested so that the crown has time to establish. It probably won’t hurt the plant to cut a couple of the stalks for a sneaky taste but leave the majority of the foliage on and let it die down over winter.

If there are signs of rust (orange spots on the underside of the leaf and spots on the top side) remove those leaves and throw in the rubbish, don’t compost them as this will spread the rust.