Growing Calendar

MenuClose

HomeAboutSearch

When to plant tulips in zone 4b

In zone 4b, where the last spring frost typically comes around May 8, plant August 20 to October 15.

The zone 4b schedule for tulips

Plant for a fall crop
August 20 to October 15

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 1,164 ZIP codes in zone 4b, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for tulips.

Frost risk in zone 4b

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 4b, the typical last frost ranges from about May 1 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 25 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from September 22 to October 8. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 26Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • May 8Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 22Safe: a later frost only 1 year in 10

Your dates for tulips

Set your ZIP code at the top of the page and we will work out when to plant tulips 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

Tulips in zone 4b cities

CityTypical last frostPlantFall
Rochester, MNApr 30—Aug 25 to Oct 20
Duluth, MNMay 6—Aug 28 to Oct 23
Lakeville, MNMay 2—Aug 24 to Oct 19
St. Cloud, MNMay 7—Aug 19 to Oct 14
Eau Claire, WIMay 8—Aug 23 to Oct 18
Great Falls, MTMay 19—Aug 13 to Oct 8

How to grow tulipsAll zonesTulips in zone 4aTulips in zone 5aAbout zone 4b

Sources