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When to plant tulips in zone 5b

In zone 5b, where the last spring frost typically comes around May 1, plant August 29 to October 24.

The zone 5b schedule for tulips

Plant for a fall crop
August 29 to October 24

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 tulips.

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 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 5b cities

CityTypical last frostPlantFall
Milwaukee, WIApr 19—Sep 17 to Nov 12
Madison, WIMay 1—Aug 29 to Oct 24
Des Moines, IAApr 18—Sep 8 to Nov 3
Aurora, ILApr 19—Sep 11 to Nov 6
Fort Collins, COMay 2—Aug 26 to Oct 21
Naperville, ILApr 19—Sep 11 to Nov 6
Rockford, ILApr 24—Sep 5 to Oct 31
Elgin, ILApr 26—Sep 6 to Nov 1
Greeley, COMay 2—Aug 27 to Oct 22
Green Bay, WIApr 30—Aug 28 to Oct 23
Davenport, IAApr 19—Sep 10 to Nov 5
Longmont, COMay 6—Aug 24 to Oct 19

How to grow tulipsAll zonesTulips in zone 5aTulips in zone 6aAbout zone 5b

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