When to plant rhubarb in Wisconsin
Wisconsin spans USDA zones 4b–6a, 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 Pleasant Prairie to March 30 in River Falls — below are local dates for 97 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 6a | April 26 | October 18 | March 15 – April 12 |
| Madison | 5a | May 1 | October 9 | March 20 – April 17 |
| Green Bay | 5b | May 7 | October 9 | March 26 – April 23 |
| Kenosha | 5b | April 28 | October 19 | March 17 – April 14 |
| Racine | 6a | April 20 | October 24 | March 9 – April 6 |
| Appleton | 5b | May 4 | October 6 | March 23 – April 20 |
| Waukesha | 5b | May 1 | October 13 | March 20 – April 17 |
| Eau Claire | 4b | April 24 | October 14 | March 13 – April 10 |
Rhubarb in Wisconsin: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Wisconsin?
Across Wisconsin, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly March 8 in Pleasant Prairie to March 30 in River Falls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin publishes 97 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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