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When to Plant Rhubarb in Dickson 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.

Dickson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 2,147 feet, Dickson County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rhubarb root diseases.

Dickson County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Dickson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 9

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 ~10,402 GDD — county provides 3,952 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Dickson County, TN

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9

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

208 days

Growing Tips for Dickson 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 Dickson County, TN?

Dickson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dickson County, TN?

Dickson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dickson 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 Dickson County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.