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When to Plant Rhubarb in Decatur County, TN

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.

Decatur County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,168 feet, Decatur County receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rhubarb root diseases.

Decatur County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Decatur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rhubarb needs ~9,581 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Decatur County, TN

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10

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

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 7a

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Decatur 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 Decatur County, TN?

Decatur County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Decatur County, TN?

Decatur County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Decatur County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Decatur County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.