Rhubarb again.

Krakkkers

First year growing Rhubarb and its grown enormously from seeds to the point now that the leaves are so big and heavy that they are snapping the stalks, what do i do? 
Do i harvest them as i thought you were not supposed to do that in the first year, remove the leaves?

Farway

Well done you, sounds like a roaring success

Personally I would just leave them alone this year, it's Autumn and any time soon will be frost or cooler weather when they will die back naturally, in the meantime let them get on with it

Krakkkers

When you say die back what do you mean? will i lose this years stalks and leaves and new stalks will grow from the crown next year? If so why not use the stalks now. Sorry for the basic questions but its my first year.
Hate to see Rhubarb go to waste as its my favourite food.

LessImpecunious

Leave them in place if they're still partly-attached, as the plant may be able to reabsorb nutrients as the leaf dies; otherwise broken-off leaves and stalks make a great bulky addition to compost bins/heaps. Well done rhubarb!

Farway

Krakkkers said:

When you say die back what do you mean? will i lose this years stalks and leaves and new stalks will grow from the crown next year? If so why not use the stalks now. Sorry for the basic questions but its my first year.
Hate to see Rhubarb go to waste as its my favourite food.

The leaves and stalks will gradually die down, with the energy going into the "crown" [root], which is why you leave them on, if you take them off, or pick forever, no energy goes to roots and plant just deteriorates

In the winter it will just be under the ground, maybe just a bit of a bump to show where it is. Come spring it will regrow new stalks & leaves, and then it will be pie time and your patience will be rewarded, with custard

LessImpecunious

Farway said:

Krakkkers said:

When you say die back what do you mean? will i lose this years stalks and leaves and new stalks will grow from the crown next year? If so why not use the stalks now. Sorry for the basic questions but its my first year.
Hate to see Rhubarb go to waste as its my favourite food.

The leaves and stalks will gradually die down, with the energy going into the "crown" [root], which is why you leave them on, if you take them off, or pick forever, no energy goes to roots and plant just deteriorates

 Though if the stalks have completely snapped off no reason not to eat them, as they'll no longer be able to feed the crown...