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When to Plant Rhubarb in Pickett 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.

Pickett County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,336 feet, Pickett County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

Pickett County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Pickett County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

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 20

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 210 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rhubarb needs ~8,349 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Pickett 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 6b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Pickett 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 Pickett County, TN?

Pickett County is in Zone 6b 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 Pickett County, TN?

Pickett County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pickett County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Pickett County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.