Fall Harvesting of Rhubarb

Question

I have used up all the frozen rhubarb that I put away this spring. During a normal year, I quit picking my rhubarb plants at the end of June and then add a layer of compost and aged manure to let them build up reserves for next year. They and my asparagus are starting to fade down for the winter. Can I harvest the rhubarb stalks that have good texture now without hurting the plants?

Answer 1

It is not a good idea to harvest this late. It may cause the plant to go into a late season growth spurt, which opens it up to damage. It will use up the energy it needs for the winter and may not be able to last through the winter due to this.