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When to plant tulips in zone 6a

In zone 6a, where the last spring frost typically comes around April 29, plant September 5 to October 31.

The zone 6a schedule for tulips

Plant for a fall crop
September 5 to October 31

From the median frost dates of the NOAA stations assigned to the 4,514 ZIP codes in zone 6a, and the timing recommended by Cooperative Extension guides for tulips.

Frost risk in zone 6a

Zones are based on winter cold, not on frost dates, so the last spring frost varies a lot within a zone. Across zone 6a, the typical last frost ranges from about April 16 in the earliest tenth of ZIP codes to May 11 in the latest tenth, and the first fall frost from October 4 to October 24. For a typical place in the zone:

  • April 16Risky: a later frost happens in 9 years out of 10
  • April 29Typical: frost after this date in half of years
  • May 14Safe: 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 6a cities

CityTypical last frostPlantFall
Chicago, ILApr 11—Sep 19 to Nov 14
Indianapolis city, INApr 15—Sep 14 to Nov 9
Denver, COMay 4—Aug 27 to Oct 22
Colorado Springs, COMay 3—Aug 27 to Oct 22
Omaha, NEApr 18—Sep 9 to Nov 4
Aurora, COMay 4—Aug 27 to Oct 22
Lincoln, NEApr 24—Sep 1 to Oct 27
Fort Wayne, INApr 24—Sep 9 to Nov 4
Grand Rapids, MIApr 29—Sep 8 to Nov 3
Lakewood, COMay 5—Aug 24 to Oct 19
Springfield, MAMay 3—Aug 27 to Oct 22
Joliet, ILApr 19—Sep 13 to Nov 8

How to grow tulipsAll zonesTulips in zone 5bTulips in zone 6bAbout zone 6a

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