When to plant tulip bulbs in Alabama

Fall planting in Huntsville

Oct 25–Nov 29

Across Alabama the window opens between October 18 and December 15. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Huntsville: Oct 25–Nov 29
Last frost, Huntsville: Mar 24

Plant from 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after the first fall frost. Plant once the soil has cooled below 60°F. Bulbs need 12–14 weeks of cold to flower in spring.

Tulip bulbs planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

HuntsvilleOct 25–Nov 29

MobileDec 15–Jan 15

BirminghamOct 28–Dec 2

MontgomeryNov 4–Dec 9

TuscaloosaOct 27–Dec 1

HooverOct 25–Nov 29

AuburnNov 3–Dec 8

DothanNov 10–Dec 15

MadisonOct 25–Nov 29

DecaturOct 24–Nov 28

FlorenceOct 20–Nov 24

PrattvilleOct 30–Dec 4

Phenix CityNov 9–Dec 14

Vestavia HillsOct 28–Dec 2

OpelikaOct 22–Nov 26

AlabasterNov 2–Dec 7

AthensOct 29–Dec 3

GadsdenOct 30–Dec 4

NorthportOct 27–Dec 1

DaphneNov 5–Dec 10

EnterpriseNov 7–Dec 12

FoleyNov 9–Dec 14

HomewoodOct 28–Dec 2

TrussvilleOct 18–Nov 22

FairhopeNov 3–Dec 8

PelhamOct 25–Nov 29

BessemerOct 27–Dec 1

AlbertvilleNov 5–Dec 10

HelenaOct 25–Nov 29

OxfordOct 26–Nov 30

All 33 cities

City	Fall planting	Last frost
Huntsville	Oct 25 to Nov 29	Mar 24
Mobile	Dec 15 to Jan 15	Feb 21
Birmingham	Oct 28 to Dec 2	Mar 21
Montgomery	Nov 4 to Dec 9	Mar 4
Tuscaloosa	Oct 27 to Dec 1	Mar 18
Hoover	Oct 25 to Nov 29	Mar 19
Auburn	Nov 3 to Dec 8	Mar 13
Dothan	Nov 10 to Dec 15	Mar 1
Madison	Oct 25 to Nov 29	Mar 24
Decatur	Oct 24 to Nov 28	Mar 26
Florence	Oct 20 to Nov 24	Mar 27
Prattville	Oct 30 to Dec 4	Mar 13
Phenix City	Nov 9 to Dec 14	Mar 5
Vestavia Hills	Oct 28 to Dec 2	Mar 21
Opelika	Oct 22 to Nov 26	Mar 29
Alabaster	Nov 2 to Dec 7	Mar 12
Athens	Oct 29 to Dec 3	Mar 20
Gadsden	Oct 30 to Dec 4	Mar 19
Northport	Oct 27 to Dec 1	Mar 18
Daphne	Nov 5 to Dec 10	Mar 15
Enterprise	Nov 7 to Dec 12	Mar 9
Foley	Nov 9 to Dec 14	Mar 5
Homewood	Oct 28 to Dec 2	Mar 21
Trussville	Oct 18 to Nov 22	Apr 4
Fairhope	Nov 3 to Dec 8	Mar 10
Pelham	Oct 25 to Nov 29	Mar 19
Bessemer	Oct 27 to Dec 1	Mar 23
Albertville	Nov 5 to Dec 10	Mar 17
Helena	Oct 25 to Nov 29	Mar 19
Oxford	Oct 26 to Nov 30	Mar 23
Mountain Brook	Oct 28 to Dec 2	Mar 21
Anniston	Oct 26 to Nov 30	Mar 23
Cullman	Oct 18 to Nov 22	Mar 31

Questions

When should I plant tulip bulbs in Alabama?

In Huntsville, fall planting from October 25 to November 29. Across Alabama the window opens between October 18 and December 15, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant from 2 weeks before to 3 weeks after the first fall frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.