When to plant tulip bulbs in California
Fall planting in San Jose
Dec 15–Jan 15
Across California the window opens between December 26 and December 15. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.
- Fall planting, San Jose
- Dec 15–Jan 15
- Last frost, San Jose
- Jan 2
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. In the warmest parts of California, chill bulbs in the fridge for 8 to 10 weeks first and plant in late December.
Tulip bulbs planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
San JoseDec 15–Jan 15
FresnoDec 15–Jan 15
SacramentoDec 15–Jan 15
BakersfieldDec 15–Jan 15
StocktonDec 15–Jan 15
RiversideDec 15–Jan 15
IrvineDec 15–Jan 15
FremontDec 15–Jan 15
San BernardinoDec 15–Jan 15
FontanaDec 15–Jan 15
ModestoDec 15–Jan 15
Moreno ValleyDec 15–Jan 15
GlendaleDec 15–Jan 15
OntarioDec 15–Jan 15
Elk GroveDec 15–Jan 15
Santa RosaNov 17–Dec 15
Rancho CucamongaDec 15–Jan 15
OceansideDec 15–Jan 15
LancasterOct 18–Nov 22
RosevilleNov 10–Dec 15
PalmdaleNov 5–Dec 10
CoronaDec 15–Jan 15
SalinasDec 15–Jan 15
HaywardDec 15–Jan 15
SunnyvaleDec 15–Jan 15
PomonaDec 15–Jan 15
VisaliaDec 15–Jan 15
EscondidoDec 15–Jan 15
VictorvilleOct 28–Dec 2
PasadenaDec 15–Jan 15
All 274 cities
| City | Fall planting | Last frost |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Fresno | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 14 |
| Sacramento | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Bakersfield | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Stockton | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 5 |
| Riverside | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| Irvine | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 5 |
| Fremont | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 1 |
| San Bernardino | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 27 |
| Fontana | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Modesto | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Moreno Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 27 |
| Glendale | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Ontario | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Elk Grove | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| Santa Rosa | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 25 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Oceanside | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 23 |
| Lancaster | Oct 18 to Nov 22 | Apr 3 |
| Roseville | Nov 10 to Dec 15 | Feb 22 |
| Palmdale | Nov 5 to Dec 10 | Mar 10 |
| Corona | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Salinas | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 29 |
| Hayward | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Sunnyvale | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Pomona | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Visalia | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 23 |
| Escondido | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Victorville | Oct 28 to Dec 2 | Mar 18 |
| Pasadena | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Santa Clara | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Clovis | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 14 |
| Simi Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 24 |
| Vallejo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Concord | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| Fairfield | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| Thousand Oaks | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Berkeley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 3 |
| Antioch | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Menifee | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 28 |
| Temecula | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| Richmond | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Murrieta | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| Santa Maria | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 4 |
| Jurupa Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| Rialto | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 10 |
| West Covina | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Chico | Nov 3 to Dec 8 | Mar 4 |
| El Monte | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Vacaville | Nov 14 to Dec 15 | Feb 18 |
| San Mateo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 29 |
| Burbank | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Hesperia | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 28 |
| Tracy | Nov 12 to Dec 15 | Feb 25 |
| El Cajon | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Daly City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 30 |
| Merced | Nov 10 to Dec 15 | Mar 3 |
| Vista | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 30 |
| Chino | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Manteca | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 6 |
| Arden-Arcade | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| San Marcos | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Indio | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Redding | Nov 7 to Dec 12 | Mar 3 |
| Hemet | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Folsom | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Carson | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| Mission Viejo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Rancho Cordova | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Santa Barbara | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 13 |
| Citrus Heights | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| San Ramon | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Mar 8 |
| Mountain View | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| San Leandro | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 7 |
| Livermore | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 15 |
| Perris | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 28 |
| Redwood City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Alhambra | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Upland | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Milpitas | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Carmichael | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Pittsburg | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Chino Hills | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Alameda | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 7 |
| Rocklin | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 25 |
| Napa | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 12 |
| Apple Valley | Oct 28 to Dec 2 | Mar 18 |
| Lake Elsinore | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 28 |
| Pleasanton | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 15 |
| Redlands | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 27 |
| Tulare | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 23 |
| Turlock | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Dublin | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 15 |
| Eastvale | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Walnut Creek | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 7 |
| Yuba City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| Lodi | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 9 |
| Madera | Nov 16 to Dec 15 | Feb 12 |
| Baldwin Park | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Camarillo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Palo Alto | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 1 |
| Brentwood | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Davis | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 10 |
| Castro Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Union City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 7 |
| South San Francisco | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 29 |
| Laguna Niguel | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Porterville | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 20 |
| Woodland | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 7 |
| Hanford | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 7 |
| San Clemente | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Santa Cruz | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 29 |
| Beaumont | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Gilroy | Nov 13 to Dec 15 | Feb 24 |
| Montebello | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| La Mesa | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Petaluma | Nov 11 to Dec 15 | Feb 28 |
| San Rafael | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 11 |
| Pico Rivera | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Cupertino | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Santee | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Highland | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 27 |
| Monterey Park | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Lincoln | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 25 |
| West Sacramento | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| San Jacinto | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Yucaipa | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 27 |
| Arcadia | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Colton | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 10 |
| Palm Desert | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Cathedral City | Dec 26 to Jan 30 | Jan 9 |
| Delano | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Novato | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 11 |
| Diamond Bar | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Watsonville | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 28 |
| San Luis Obispo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| El Dorado Hills | Nov 7 to Dec 12 | Mar 31 |
| Aliso Viejo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Glendora | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Los Banos | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 26 |
| Florin | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Rosemead | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Covina | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Poway | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 5 |
| Antelope | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Ceres | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| North Highlands | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Newark | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 1 |
| Oakley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Azusa | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Hollister | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 19 |
| Morgan Hill | Nov 13 to Dec 15 | Feb 24 |
| Coachella | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Palm Springs | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 1 |
| Rohnert Park | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 25 |
| El Centro | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 3 |
| Lompoc | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 20 |
| Danville | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Mar 8 |
| Lathrop | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 6 |
| Vineyard | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| French Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| Campbell | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| San Bruno | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 11 |
| Altadena | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| La Quinta | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Adelanto | Oct 28 to Dec 2 | Mar 18 |
| Calexico | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 3 |
| Monrovia | Nov 1 to Dec 6 | Apr 28 |
| San Gabriel | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Wildomar | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 28 |
| Montclair | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Foothill Farms | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Pacifica | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 11 |
| Martinez | Nov 8 to Dec 13 | Feb 28 |
| La Puente | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Claremont | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Orangevale | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Temple City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| San Juan Capistrano | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Moorpark | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| Oildale | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Pleasant Hill | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 7 |
| Desert Hot Springs | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 25 |
| San Dimas | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Menlo Park | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 1 |
| Los Gatos | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| Fallbrook | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| Foster City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Goleta | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 11 |
| Dana Point | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Spring Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Atwater | Nov 10 to Dec 15 | Mar 3 |
| Fair Oaks | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Burlingame | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 29 |
| Banning | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Santa Paula | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 31 |
| San Pablo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Seaside | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| El Paso de Robles | Oct 27 to Dec 1 | Mar 15 |
| Orcutt | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 4 |
| Los Altos | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Saratoga | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 2 |
| La Verne | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Laguna Hills | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Atascadero | Oct 27 to Dec 1 | Mar 15 |
| Suisun City | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| San Lorenzo | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Eastern Goleta Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 11 |
| San Carlos | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Monterey | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 1 |
| East Palo Alto | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 1 |
| Belmont | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| East Niles | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Temescal Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 28 |
| Ridgecrest | Oct 29 to Dec 3 | Mar 11 |
| Brawley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 16 |
| Walnut | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Lemoore | Nov 8 to Dec 13 | Feb 24 |
| Sanger | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 30 |
| Reedley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 30 |
| Galt | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 9 |
| Patterson | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Riverbank | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Wasco | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Benicia | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Soledad | Oct 20 to Nov 24 | Apr 23 |
| Hercules | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| El Cerrito | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 3 |
| Dinuba | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 23 |
| Twentynine Palms | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 24 |
| Windsor | Nov 6 to Dec 11 | Mar 2 |
| South Pasadena | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| West Whittier-Los Nietos | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Mountain House | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 19 |
| Lafayette | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 7 |
| Eureka | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 22 |
| Loma Linda | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 27 |
| Norco | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 17 |
| Barstow | Nov 9 to Dec 14 | Feb 22 |
| Selma | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 30 |
| Bloomington | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 10 |
| Bay Point | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| Shafter | Nov 9 to Dec 14 | Feb 20 |
| Ladera Ranch | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| East San Gabriel | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| San Fernando | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| Rosemont | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 12 |
| Marina | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 4 |
| Oakdale | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 31 |
| Linda | Nov 16 to Dec 15 | Feb 11 |
| Millbrae | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Dec 29 |
| Duarte | Nov 1 to Dec 6 | Apr 28 |
| Ramona | Nov 9 to Dec 14 | Mar 19 |
| Ashland | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 2 |
| American Canyon | Nov 7 to Dec 12 | Mar 5 |
| Laguna Beach | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Corcoran | Nov 13 to Dec 15 | Feb 15 |
| Imperial | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 14 |
| Rancho San Diego | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| West Puente Valley | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 4 |
| Calabasas | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 24 |
| Winter Gardens | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| West Carson | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 9 |
| Yucca Valley | Nov 14 to Dec 15 | Mar 14 |
| Lakeside | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 6 |
| Valinda | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Granite Bay | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Feb 25 |
| Stevenson Ranch | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 8 |
| Greenfield | Nov 8 to Dec 13 | Feb 23 |
| Dixon | Nov 17 to Dec 15 | Feb 10 |
| Rosamond | Oct 18 to Nov 22 | Apr 3 |
| Oroville | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 30 |
| East Hemet | Dec 15 to Jan 15 | Jan 10 |
Questions
When should I plant tulip bulbs in California?
In San Jose, fall planting from December 15 to January 15. Across California the window opens between December 26 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.
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