When to plant tulip bulbs in Kansas

Fall planting in Wichita

Oct 15–Nov 19

Across Kansas the window opens between October 3 and October 19. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Wichita: Oct 15–Nov 19
Last frost, Wichita: Apr 11

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

WichitaOct 15–Nov 19

Overland ParkOct 15–Nov 19

Kansas CityOct 19–Nov 23

OlatheOct 15–Nov 19

TopekaOct 8–Nov 12

LawrenceOct 14–Nov 18

ShawneeOct 8–Nov 12

LenexaOct 15–Nov 19

ManhattanOct 5–Nov 9

SalinaOct 9–Nov 13

HutchinsonOct 7–Nov 11

LeavenworthOct 13–Nov 17

LeawoodOct 15–Nov 19

Dodge CityOct 6–Nov 10

Garden CityOct 3–Nov 7

DerbyOct 8–Nov 12

GardnerOct 10–Nov 14

EmporiaOct 9–Nov 13

Prairie VillageOct 19–Nov 23

Junction CityOct 12–Nov 16

HaysOct 8–Nov 12

PittsburgOct 16–Nov 20

Questions

When should I plant tulip bulbs in Kansas?

In Wichita, fall planting from October 15 to November 19. Across Kansas the window opens between October 3 and October 19, 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.