When to plant rhubarb in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOV

Transplant Apr 26 · First harvest Oct 26 · Wrap by Oct 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Transplant outApr 26

First harvestOct 26

Last harvestOct 1

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 5a?

Rhubarb matures in about 548–730 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around Apr 26 and first picking around Oct 26.

Will rhubarb survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — rhubarb tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

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