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When to Plant Rhubarb in Lander County, NV

Rhubarb is a long-lived perennial vegetable grown for its tart, colorful stalks. Only the stalks are edible as the leaves contain toxic oxalic acid.

Lander County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.

At an elevation of 6,987 feet, Lander County receives approximately 9.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Rhubarb will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Rhubarb successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lander County, NV (Zone 5b) Short season
118 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
118 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Lander County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jul 8

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,217 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Rhubarb needs ~9,992 GDD — county provides 2,153 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Lander County, NV

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 1

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

118 days

Growing Tips for Lander County

Plant crowns in early spring in rich, well-drained soil. Do not harvest stalks the first year. Pull (do not cut) stalks at harvest to avoid introducing rot.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rhubarb in Lander County, NV?

Lander County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 27. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lander County, NV?

Lander County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and first fall frost is September 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lander County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lander County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.