When to plant rhubarb in zone 3b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 3B

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 25First frost ~Sep 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Transplant May 11 · First harvest Nov 10 · Wrap by Sep 15

Last spring frostMay 25

Transplant outMay 11

First harvestNov 10

Last harvestSep 15

First fall frostSep 15

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 25 and first fall frost Sep 15 — about 113 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 3b?

Rhubarb matures in about 548–730 days from transplanting. In zone 3b that means setting plants out around May 11 and first picking around Nov 10.

Will rhubarb survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — rhubarb tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 15).

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