Blog

When to plant Rhubarb in Alexander County, IL

In Alexander County, Rhubarb is a spring-only crop. Plant May 1–May 15 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Rhubarb in Alexander County, IL

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.

Alexander County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,260 feet, Alexander County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

Alexander County, IL (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Alexander County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Rhubarb Planting Timeline — Alexander County, IL

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Alexander County

Growing Tips for Alexander 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rhubarb in Alexander County, IL?

Alexander County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Alexander County, IL?

Alexander County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Rhubarb in Alexander County, IL?

In Alexander County, IL, plant Rhubarb after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Alexander County, IL for Rhubarb?

Alexander County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Rhubarb grows reliably in zones 3a through 8b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Rhubarb grow in Alexander County's climate?

Yes — Rhubarb grows well in Alexander County's temperate climate. Alexander County averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Alexander County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Alexander County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Alexander County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.