Growing consistently thick stalked rhubarb

by Heidi
(Washington State)

How do I keep my rhubarb stalks thick after three or four pickings? I love rhubarb and would love my plant to produce at its best each time.

Doug says that you're already slightly overpicking your plants and if you pick too much there's nothing you can do to thicken up the stalks. Assuming you're giving them a shovel or two of compost every spring, that's about all they require.

But when those stalks get thin, there isn't enough energy in the roots so you're either underfeeding or overpicking.