When to plant rhubarb in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6b–7b, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about February 17 in Shively to March 20 in Shelbyville — below are local dates for 46 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 7a | April 6 | November 1 | February 23 – March 23 |
| Lexington-Fayette urban county | 7a | April 13 | October 28 | March 2 – March 30 |
| Bowling Green | 7a | April 5 | October 31 | February 22 – March 22 |
| Owensboro | 7a | April 2 | November 1 | February 19 – March 19 |
| Covington | 6b | April 16 | October 25 | March 5 – April 2 |
| Georgetown | 6b | April 18 | October 23 | March 7 – April 4 |
| Richmond | 7a | April 15 | October 22 | March 4 – April 1 |
| Florence | 6b | April 18 | October 25 | March 7 – April 4 |
Rhubarb in Kentucky: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Kentucky?
Across Kentucky, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly February 17 in Shively to March 20 in Shelbyville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky publishes 46 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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