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When to Plant Rhubarb in Frederick 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.

Frederick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 743 feet, Frederick County receives approximately 44.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Rhubarb during the growing season.

Frederick County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Frederick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Rhubarb Planting Timeline — Frederick County, VA

Rhubarb Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 – May 29

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

177 days in Frederick County

Growing Tips for Frederick 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 Frederick County, VA?

Frederick County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Rhubarb planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frederick County, VA?

Frederick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Your Frederick County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Frederick 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.

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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 Frederick County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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