When to plant rhubarb in South Dakota
South Dakota spans USDA zones 4a–5b, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 15 in Sioux Falls to March 31 in Spearfish — below are local dates for 13 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 5a | April 26 | October 13 | March 15 – April 12 |
| Rapid City | 5b | May 3 | October 8 | March 22 – April 19 |
| Aberdeen | 4a | May 8 | September 29 | March 27 – April 24 |
| Brookings | 4b | May 6 | October 1 | March 25 – April 22 |
| Watertown | 4b | May 7 | September 30 | March 26 – April 23 |
| Mitchell | 5a | May 2 | October 6 | March 21 – April 18 |
| Yankton | 5a | April 27 | October 11 | March 16 – April 13 |
| Huron | 4b | May 6 | October 2 | March 25 – April 22 |
Rhubarb in South Dakota: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in South Dakota?
Across South Dakota, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly March 15 in Sioux Falls to March 31 in Spearfish, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota publishes 13 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.