How to grow rhubarb in a raised bed
Eat only the stalks — the leaves are poisonous. Lasts for many years.
Spacing1 plant per 2 × 2 ft
How to startPlant young plants (sold at garden centers)
When to plantAbout 4 weeks before your last spring frost
Time to harvestFrom the second year
Grows toAbout 2.5 ft tall
Comes back each year inZones 3–8
When to plant rhubarb in your zone
Dates are based on the average frost dates for each zone. Don't know your zone? Enter your ZIP code in the planner.
| Zone | Start seeds indoors | Plant in the bed | Plant again for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | Apr 22 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | Apr 17 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | Apr 14 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | Apr 10 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | Apr 6 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | Mar 31 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | Mar 25 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | Mar 11 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 4 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | Feb 25 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | Feb 15 | — |
| Zone 9a | Winters usually too warm | ||
| Zone 9b | Winters usually too warm | ||
| Zone 10a | Winters usually too warm | ||
| Zone 10b | Winters usually too warm | ||
Tips for raised beds
- Give each plant a 2 × 2 ft space in the bed.
- It stays fairly short, so it can go near the south (sunny) edge of the bed.
- Most vegetables and fruit need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
Where to buy rhubarb plants
Burpee · True Leaf Market · Botanical Interests
Plan where your rhubarb go. Pick your bed size and material, choose your plants, and get a printable plan with measurements, a shopping list and planting dates for your ZIP code. Free, no sign-up.
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