Rainline Garden

When to plant rhubarb in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR

Plant rhubarb crowns in Coos Bay and North Bend Mar 25 – May 6.

Easy Plant dormant crowns

Why these dates

Coos Bay and North Bend's typical last spring frost is February 21. On the coast, the soil is usually ready for rhubarb around March 25.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
3 to 4 feet apart
Planting depth
Crown buds 1 to 2 inches below the surface
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
Light picking in year two; full harvests from year three

Step by step

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant rhubarb crowns Mar 25 – May 6, 3 to 4 feet apart. Crown buds 1 to 2 inches below the surface.
  3. Mulch with compost each spring, and cut off flower stalks as soon as they appear.
  4. Harvest: Pull (don't cut) stalks when they're 10 to 15 inches long. Take no more than a third at once, and stop in early summer. Never eat the leaves.

Varieties that do well here

  • Victoria
  • Canada Red
  • Crimson Red

Watch out for

Crown rot in soggy soil. In wet west-side gardens, plant on a slight mound or in a raised bed.

Plant it where it can stay for a decade. Don't pick the first year, and never eat the leaves, which are poisonous.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR?

Typically February 21. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by March 25. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for North Bend Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant rhubarb in Coos Bay and North Bend?

The spring planting window runs through May 6. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer. Fall planting also works well here.

How long until I can pick rhubarb?

Light picking in year two; full harvests from year three. Pull (don't cut) stalks when they're 10 to 15 inches long. Take no more than a third at once, and stop in early summer. Never eat the leaves.

Also plant in Coos Bay and North Bend around the same time

Planting dates for rhubarb in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Coos Bay and North Bend · Rhubarb in every city