How soon can I harvest rhubarb after planting?

by Marcia
(Prairie du Chien, WI)

I planted rhubarb plants in spring of 2009. How soon can I begin harvesting. I have been told not the first year, and have also heard not for 3 years after planting. How long do I really have to wait to harvest?

Doug says that if the stems are strong and fat, you can take one or two stems this year. If not -leave them alone and feed with several shovels of compost.

Otherwise, you can take your first small harvest - a single cutting - in 2011. After that, if the stems are still big and fat, you can move to 2 cuttings. If the stems get smaller - you're cutting too much or not feeding enough compost.