When to plant rhubarb in Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5b–7b, 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 Boston to March 29 in North Adams — below are local dates for 89 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 7a | April 4 | November 9 | February 21 – March 21 |
| Worcester | 6a | April 23 | October 21 | March 12 – April 9 |
| Springfield | 6a | May 3 | October 8 | March 22 – April 19 |
| Cambridge | 6b | April 19 | October 23 | March 8 – April 5 |
| Lowell | 6b | April 30 | October 10 | March 19 – April 16 |
| Brockton | 6b | April 22 | October 19 | March 11 – April 8 |
| Quincy | 7a | April 25 | October 22 | March 14 – April 11 |
| Lynn | 7a | April 25 | October 20 | March 14 – April 11 |
Rhubarb in Massachusetts: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Massachusetts?
Across Massachusetts, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly February 21 in Boston to March 29 in North Adams, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts publishes 89 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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