Blog

When to Plant Rhubarb in McClain County, OK

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.

McClain County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 558 feet, McClain County receives approximately 23.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

McClain County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

McClain County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6

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.

Soil Compatibility in McClain County

How your county's soil matches Rhubarb's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.8) is more alkaline than Rhubarb prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in McClain County is excellent for Rhubarb โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Rhubarb.

How to Plant Rhubarb

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,268 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Rhubarb needs ~11,224 GDD — county provides 4,448 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” McClain County, OK

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

365โ€“730 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

217 days in McClain County

Growing Tips for Rhubarb in McClain County

Direct sow Rhubarb outdoors after April 02 in McClain County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 217.0-day growing season in McClain County is tight for Rhubarb (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

McClain County receives only 23" of rain annually. Rhubarb needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 McClain County, OK?

McClain County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McClain County, OK?

McClain County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McClain County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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