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When to Plant Rhubarb in Grainger 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.

Grainger County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 3,009 feet, Grainger County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

Grainger County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Grainger County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 23

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 3,610 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Grainger County, TN

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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

190 days

Growing Tips for Grainger 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 Grainger County, TN?

Grainger County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grainger County, TN?

Grainger County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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