When to Pick Rhubarb Stalks

The First Season

• Leave rhubarb plants alone during the first season. Rhubarb is planted from crown divisions in spring. The plant requires the entire first season to develop a strong root system for future growth. The perennial root system stores energy through the winter and produces new growth each spring. Like other plants, rhubarb produces energy from the sun in the leaves. You can't harvest a rhubarb stalk without cutting down the leaves, so wait to harvest until at least the second season after the plants get established.

Second Season Harvest

• You can harvest a few rhubarb stalks during the second season unless you grew the plants from seed. Wait until the third season to harvest rhubarb grown from seed. Only pick two to three stalks from each second year rhubarb plant. Wait until the stalks mature and the leaves unfold, usually in April or May. Limit the second season harvest to a one- to two-week period and then leave the rest of the stalks and leaves on the plant through the summer.

Third Year Harvest

• In the third year after planting rhubarb crowns, or the fourth year after planting rhubarb from seed, begin normal harvest. Even when harvesting established plants, avoid taking more than one-third of the stalks from each plant in a harvest season. Begin harvesting when the leaves unfurl in spring. You can continue to harvest rhubarb for eight to 10 weeks. Discontinue harvesting in late summer to allow the plant to build up a reserve of energy for the winter.

How to Pick Rhubarb Stalks

• Pick rhubarb stalks by twisting the stem off the roots. Hold the stalk in one hand near the base of the plant and give it a sharp twist to dislodge the rhubarb. Using a knife to cut rhubarb stalks increases the chance of spreading disease between the plants. Cut the large leaf off the top of the rhubarb and throw it on the compost pile. Rhubarb leaves are poisonous so don't eat them or feed them to livestock or plant-eating pets.