When to Plant Rhubarb in Wrangell City and Borough, AK
Your May game plan for Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska
Here's what deserves your attention in Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7b and timed around your local frost dates.
-
Move rhubarb into the garden
Your last frost (April 23) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
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.
Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.
At an elevation of 1,533 feet, Wrangell City and Borough receives approximately 35.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 59°F, so choose short-season varieties of Rhubarb to ensure they mature before fall.
Wrangell City and Borough Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.1-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Wrangell City and Borough
How your county's soil matches Rhubarb's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.1–6.5) is more acidic than Rhubarb prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Wrangell City and Borough is excellent for Rhubarb — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Rhubarb.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.1%) — Rhubarb will thrive.
How to Plant Rhubarb
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Rhubarb
Rhubarb needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Rhubarb Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 1.1" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 6.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wrangell City and Borough). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Rhubarb Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Rhubarb Planting Timeline — Wrangell City and Borough, AK
Rhubarb Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 14 | May 14 – May 28 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
365–730 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
180 days in Wrangell City and Borough
Growing Tips for Rhubarb in Wrangell City and Borough
Direct sow Rhubarb outdoors after April 23 in Wrangell City and Borough when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 180.0-day growing season in Wrangell City and Borough is tight for Rhubarb (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Rhubarb in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Rhubarb in Wrangell City and Borough, AK?
Wrangell City and Borough is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wrangell City and Borough, AK?
Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 20.
Your Wrangell City and Borough Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wrangell City and Borough (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.