When to plant rhubarb in Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4b–6b, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 8 in Port Huron to April 7 in Cadillac — below are local dates for 101 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 6b | April 27 | October 25 | March 16 – April 13 |
| Grand Rapids | 6a | May 6 | October 10 | March 25 – April 22 |
| Warren | 6b | April 21 | October 31 | March 10 – April 7 |
| Sterling Heights | 6b | April 30 | October 24 | March 19 – April 16 |
| Ann Arbor | 6a | May 5 | October 10 | March 24 – April 21 |
| Lansing | 6a | May 1 | October 13 | March 20 – April 17 |
| Dearborn | 6b | May 1 | October 15 | March 20 – April 17 |
| Livonia | 6b | May 1 | October 17 | March 20 – April 17 |
Rhubarb in Michigan: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Michigan?
Across Michigan, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly March 8 in Port Huron to April 7 in Cadillac, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Michigan?
Yes. Michigan publishes 101 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.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.