When to plant rhubarb in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about February 21 in Granite City to March 20 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | February 27 – March 27 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | March 8 – April 5 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | March 17 – April 14 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | March 8 – April 5 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | March 13 – April 10 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | March 15 – April 12 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | March 4 – April 1 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | March 5 – April 2 |
Rhubarb in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly February 21 in Granite City to March 20 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rhubarb planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
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