Personally I wouldn't cover it with anything, just let it grow...

Thanks M. Will do as you say.

Prefer to cover mine with custard!!!!!!!

that made me laugh Bulba.

once growth is wel underway then a mulch of any well rotted compost will help give it a good feed.

Thanks B, but it’s only 1 inch tall !

Pie crust for me, Bulba! ;)
Otherwise, just listening and learning. Rhubarb is just barely viable as a garden plant where I live, but I do occasionally get customers from higher elevations.

Hi Hank, do you know which variety you have ?, you can ''force'' someby putting a pot. bucket, or a fancy forcing pot over the crown, cover any sources of light, and keep in total darkness, [you could also wrap whatever you use in bubble wrap for extra warmth]when the shoots reach the top of the bucket, or whatever you've used, it's ready for eating, the stems will be softer and paler, but the taste is great, [at least I think so], when that root has finished, give it a feed of well rotted manure, and let it grow on, don't use the same crown next year, Derek.

Thanks Derek,will ask the guy who gave me the plant if he knows which variety it is, but doubt if he’ll know.
You say “ Don’t use the same crown next year “ ? I don’t understand. I’ve been growing this one for 2 1/2 years and expected to keep doing so - perhaps splitting it up and moving it elsewhere. Pl explain.

Hi Hank, I only meant not to use the same crown for forcing again next year, just to give it some time to recover, although you could get more fruit from it this year, the forcing can weaken it, no need to move it, hope this helps, Derek.

Ah thanks Derek, I thought I was in trouble. I understand.

I 'think' Hank only has the one crown and this is its second year so would not suggest forcing at all...

Hi Mg, yes I didn't realize at the time that Hank only had 1 crown, I agree, I wouldn't recommend forcing a crown until it was about 4 or 5 years old. Derek.