Over thirty years ago when we bought our home, there was a rhubarb plant in the backyard that was very healthy and thriving with no special care. We haven't taken advantage of this plant and used it for things like strawberry-rhubarb pie, but I may do that in the future. My husband will break off a stalk and eat it while enjoying leisure time in the yard, but that's been it so far.
I have to say that I'm amazed. This plant continues to thrive and grow each and every year. It's come up already and has large leaves, with no feeding or extra watering.
We've had both dogs and cat since we've lived here, and although rhubarb leaves are poisonous to pets, they've never seemed to be attracted to them and there's never been a problem in that area.
In fact Rhubarb is a hungry plant and will do a lot better if you give it plenty of organic manure.
However it is probably the easiest plant to grow and we use rhubarb all the time while it's in season although it can be forced (brought into growth earlier by being covered) I've not bothered.
It can be a bit sharp and because I like to keep off sugar I've taken to adding Xylitol to take the edge of the acidity. You may also want to try cooking it with ginger, or cardamoms as they make nice changes if your getting bored with plain stewed rhubarb.
I can't believe the prices charged for Rhubarb in the Supermarket. Around �1.50 lb. If people knew just how easy it is to grow they'd never pay that much for just a few sticks. We give most of our surplus away as it seems wrong to charge people for something that is so very easy to grow and the only effort is pulling the stalks and throwing some rotted manure on at the end of summer.