My rhubarb has suddenly split the winter covering and started to grow Is is edible and will the plant be ok when the real winter comes along?
If it's only just starting to sprout, I'd stick a bin over it to block out all the light and force the stems so you get the more delicate pink stems - then I'd eat it :P
My raspberries and strawberries are flowering....I know they will be cut down by frosts, but it is very strange looking at them.
??? Know not really sure if I am right but this time of year the toxins in the rubarb plant are at there highest so this is only what I was told years ago leave well alone :-\ Look it up on the web before you cook any ;D
the toxin is in the leaves, the stems are ok.
IMHO, I don't think the unseasonal spurt will be good for the plant, so I would just leave alone so you don't weaken it.
I think young stems would be OK - the old ones are a bit dry by now anyway - but it's probably better for the plant to leave them.
The plant is already using its energy in producing the new shoots, so if you harvest them or the frosts get them the end effect will be the same. As it is new growth there will be no potential build-up of oxalic acid in the stems so there will be no problem eating them.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast for your area and harvest before the temps get too low.
Enjoy!
Some of my rhubarb crowns have had good stems on them all year. I have not harvested since August, leaving well alone so the plant does not weaken for next year. Still got some full thick stems on them now.