When to plant rhubarb in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania 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 16 in Philadelphia to April 3 in Hermitage — below are local dates for 86 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 7b | March 30 | November 17 | February 16 – March 16 |
| Pittsburgh | 6b | April 18 | October 28 | March 7 – April 4 |
| Allentown | 7a | April 20 | October 24 | March 9 – April 6 |
| Reading | 7a | April 14 | October 29 | March 3 – March 31 |
| Erie | 7a | April 26 | November 4 | March 15 – April 12 |
| Bethlehem | 7a | April 20 | October 24 | March 9 – April 6 |
| Scranton | 6b | April 23 | October 20 | March 12 – April 9 |
| Lancaster | 7a | April 19 | October 24 | March 8 – April 5 |
Rhubarb in Pennsylvania: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Pennsylvania?
Across Pennsylvania, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly February 16 in Philadelphia to April 3 in Hermitage, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania publishes 86 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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