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When to plant rhubarb in New York

New York spans USDA zones 4b–7b, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about February 18 in New York to April 5 in Oneonta — below are local dates for 201 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.

In New Yorkthe rhubarb transplant out window (February 18–March 18) has passed for this year.
CityZoneLast frostFirst frostTransplant out
New York7bApril 1November 19February 18 – March 18
Buffalo6bApril 24October 26March 13 – April 10
Yonkers7bApril 20October 26March 9 – April 6
Rochester6bApril 24October 25March 13 – April 10
Syracuse6aApril 29October 19March 18 – April 15
Albany6aApril 27October 15March 16 – April 13
New Rochelle7bApril 20October 26March 9 – April 6
Cheektowaga6bApril 24October 26March 13 – April 10

Rhubarb in New York: FAQ

When can I plant rhubarb in New York?

Across New York, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly February 18 in New York to April 5 in Oneonta, each following that city's local frost dates.

Does the rhubarb planting date vary across New York?

Yes. New York publishes 201 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.

Planting reminders

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Rhubarb planting guide →All New York cities →New York planting calendar →
When to Plant Rhubarb in New York — Frost-Based Dates by City — BlissGarden