Rhubarb help !!

[madhatterlizzy]

I planted rhubarb last year for the first time, its wintered well covered in straw, new shoots already appearing, is it too early to remove the straw??,
Lizzy with a very helpful (not) pussy cat

[rustylady]

Why do you want to remove the straw?

[taff]

you shouldn't really need to insulate rhubarb with straw, it should survive by itself.
But yes, you can either remove it completely, or leave a thin layer around it to inhibit weeds.

[FB.]

Rhubarb is fairly tough.

Mine went to sleep in the autumn, but due to the mild weather it sprouted during December (then got hard-frosted and died). It sprouted again in early February (then got very-hard-frosted again and died again). It's now sprouting again.

I'd leave the straw because you'll break off the new shoots if you're not careful.

[madhatterlizzy]

thanks everyone, will leave the straw alone,
happy gardening
Lizzy