When to stop pulling rhubarb?

[bethduckie]

I'm always careful t leave some leaves on the rhubarb, but I'm not sure when in the year I should stop pulling it? This is the first year we've eaten it as last year I just let it grow.

We had some tonight (Victoria, a late variety) and it didn't taste at all stringy although I did remove some of the skin before I cooked it- few bits that needed to be removed and so on.

Should I just let it grow now, or can I carry on pulling it as long as it carries on producing?

I've got some growing for next year, which is 'Champagne' I believe.

[realfood]

I stopped pulling mine at least a month ago.

[northepaul]

I still pull the odd bit, if I need it, but I dont take a big crop of it. Ironically its bigger and more healthy later in the season.

[Bren In Pots]

According to 'the veg expert book by Dr H' you should always leave at least 4 stalks on the plant and don't pull any after July.

[mrbadexample]

I believe there is a saying to stop picking when the gooseberries are ready.

[rana]

While there is sufficient moisture the rhubarb will continue to produce fat new sticks and you can keep picking right through to the end of the summer. Don't forget that an established rhubarb plant has an enormous root mass and therefore considerable reserves of energy. To maintain the plant health pick no more than a third of the sticks.

[bethduckie]

That's ok, I always leave sufficient sticks on the plant.

The variety didn't fruit till a long time after the early varieties, so I guess yesterday's harvest was still OK but I won't touch it from now on. Thanks for your help everyone

[Alison]

It's fine to still be pulling on a mature plant, just don't take them all. Wouldn't take any off a young plant though.