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When to Plant Rhubarb in Middlesex County, VA

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.

Middlesex County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 812 feet, Middlesex County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

Middlesex County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Middlesex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 22
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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rhubarb needs ~9,171 GDD — county provides 3,634 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Middlesex County, VA

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6

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 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, VA?

Middlesex County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Middlesex County, VA?

Middlesex County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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