When to plant rhubarb in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCT

Transplant Apr 16 · First harvest Oct 16 · Wrap by Oct 10

Last spring frostApr 30

Transplant outApr 16

First harvestOct 16

Last harvestOct 10

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 6a?

Rhubarb matures in about 548–730 days from transplanting. In zone 6a that means setting plants out around Apr 16 and first picking around Oct 16.

Will rhubarb survive frost in zone 6a?

Yes — rhubarb tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

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