Rhubarb three weeks later

Check out the rhubarb today(or a couple of days ago).  Three weeks ago it was just one little sprout.  Now there are 4 leaves and more.(This is just a little corner of the patch)  I'm not sure that I will harvest any this year, since I just divided it this spring.  We'll see how robust it is.  I'll probably straw mulch it soon.  I don't like the looks of straw mulch but I have a lot available for free...and it works---it's just not as professional looking.