When to plant tulip bulbs in Kentucky

Fall planting in Louisville/Jefferson County

Oct 18–Nov 22

Across Kentucky the window opens between October 8 and October 20. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Louisville/Jefferson County: Oct 18–Nov 22
Last frost, Louisville/Jefferson County: Apr 6

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

Louisville/Jefferson CountyOct 18–Nov 22

Lexington-FayetteOct 14–Nov 18

Bowling GreenOct 17–Nov 21

OwensboroOct 18–Nov 22

CovingtonOct 11–Nov 15

GeorgetownOct 9–Nov 13

RichmondOct 8–Nov 12

ElizabethtownOct 11–Nov 15

FlorenceOct 11–Nov 15

NicholasvilleOct 14–Nov 18

HopkinsvilleOct 19–Nov 23

IndependenceOct 11–Nov 15

JeffersontownOct 20–Nov 24

FrankfortOct 10–Nov 14

HendersonOct 12–Nov 16

PaducahOct 13–Nov 17

RadcliffOct 11–Nov 15

AshlandOct 9–Nov 13

ErlangerOct 11–Nov 15

Questions

When should I plant tulip bulbs in Kentucky?

In Louisville/Jefferson County, fall planting from October 18 to November 22. Across Kentucky the window opens between October 8 and October 20, 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.