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When to plant daffodils in zone 5b

In zone 5b, where the last spring frost typically comes around May 1, plant August 29 to October 10.

The zone 5b schedule for daffodils

Plant for a fall crop
August 29 to October 10

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 2,546 ZIP codes in zone 5b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for daffodils.

Frost risk in zone 5b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 5b, the typical last frost ranges from about April 21 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 18 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from September 30 to October 19. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 18Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • May 1Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 16Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Your dates for daffodils

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant daffodils where you live, from the frost records of the nearest NOAA weather station. Your ZIP code is remembered on this device only.

Enter your ZIP code

Daffodils in zone 5b cities

CityTypical last frostPlantFall
Milwaukee, WIApr 19—Sep 17 to Oct 29
Madison, WIMay 1—Aug 29 to Oct 10
Des Moines, IAApr 18—Sep 8 to Oct 20
Aurora, ILApr 19—Sep 11 to Oct 23
Fort Collins, COMay 2—Aug 26 to Oct 7
Naperville, ILApr 19—Sep 11 to Oct 23
Rockford, ILApr 24—Sep 5 to Oct 17
Elgin, ILApr 26—Sep 6 to Oct 18
Greeley, COMay 2—Aug 27 to Oct 8
Green Bay, WIApr 30—Aug 28 to Oct 9
Davenport, IAApr 19—Sep 10 to Oct 22
Longmont, COMay 6—Aug 24 to Oct 5

How to grow daffodilsAll zonesDaffodils in zone 5aDaffodils in zone 6aAbout zone 5b

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