When to plant rhubarb in zone 3a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 3A

Growing SeasonZone 3a

Last frost ~May 30First frost ~Sep 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Transplant May 16 · First harvest Nov 15 · Wrap by Sep 10

Last spring frostMay 30

Transplant outMay 16

First harvestNov 15

Last harvestSep 10

First fall frostSep 10

Why these dates work in zone 3a

Zone 3a's last spring frost averages May 30 and first fall frost Sep 10 — about 103 frost-free days. Rhubarb tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall.

Common questions

How long does rhubarb take to grow in zone 3a?

Rhubarb matures in about 548–730 days from transplanting. In zone 3a that means setting plants out around May 16 and first picking around Nov 15.

Will rhubarb survive frost in zone 3a?

Yes — rhubarb tolerates light frost. In zone 3a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 10).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full rhubarb growing guide →