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When to Plant Rhubarb in Richland County, WI

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.

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,098 feet, Richland County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

Richland County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 18

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 ~7,528 GDD — county provides 2,103 GDD May not mature

Rhubarb Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, WI

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
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 4b

Growing Season

153 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, WI?

Richland County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, WI?

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richland County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Richland County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.