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Can You Grow Rhubarb in Wisconsin?

US · USDA Zone 5a · zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b

Grows well here

Rhubarb thrives here — it is extremely cold-hardy and needs cold winters to perform well.

Plant zones

2a–8a

Wisconsin last frost

mid-April

Wisconsin first frost

mid-October

Days to harvest

Perennial

About Rhubarb

Rhubarb is extremely cold-hardy and productive — plant once and harvest stalks every spring for decades.

Plant crowns in spring. Never harvest the first year. Never eat the leaves — they are toxic. Mulch crowns in autumn. Divide every 5-7 years. Rhubarb actually improves after cold winters.

Full rhubarb growing guide →

Gardening in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a cold humid continental climate. Milwaukee is Zone 5b-6a; northern Wisconsin is Zone 4a-5a. Cold winters but warm productive summers. Known for dairy farming and cold-hardy crops.

See what grows well in Wisconsin →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Rhubarb in Wisconsin?

Rhubarb thrives here — it is extremely cold-hardy and needs cold winters to perform well.

What zone is Wisconsin?

Wisconsin spans USDA Zone 5a (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b).

When do you plant Rhubarb in Wisconsin?

See the planting guide for Rhubarb — timing depends on your exact frost date.