When to plant tulip bulbs in Michigan

Fall planting in Detroit

Oct 11–Nov 15

Across Michigan the window opens between September 21 and October 20. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Detroit: Oct 11–Nov 15
Last frost, Detroit: Apr 27

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

DetroitOct 11–Nov 15

Grand RapidsSep 26–Oct 31

WarrenOct 17–Nov 21

Sterling HeightsOct 10–Nov 14

Ann ArborSep 26–Oct 31

LansingSep 29–Nov 3

DearbornOct 1–Nov 5

LivoniaOct 3–Nov 7

TroyOct 8–Nov 12

Farmington HillsOct 3–Nov 7

WestlandOct 13–Nov 17

FlintSep 29–Nov 3

WyomingSep 26–Oct 31

Rochester HillsOct 8–Nov 12

SouthfieldOct 3–Nov 7

KalamazooOct 4–Nov 8

NoviOct 3–Nov 7

PontiacOct 8–Nov 12

TaylorOct 13–Nov 17

Dearborn HeightsOct 1–Nov 5

St. Clair ShoresOct 8–Nov 12

Royal OakOct 17–Nov 21

KentwoodSep 30–Nov 4

Battle CreekOct 5–Nov 9

PortageOct 4–Nov 8

East LansingOct 3–Nov 7

RosevilleOct 8–Nov 12

SaginawOct 7–Nov 11

MidlandOct 2–Nov 6

Lincoln ParkOct 1–Nov 5

All 59 cities

City	Fall planting	Last frost
Detroit	Oct 11 to Nov 15	Apr 27
Grand Rapids	Sep 26 to Oct 31	May 6
Warren	Oct 17 to Nov 21	Apr 21
Sterling Heights	Oct 10 to Nov 14	Apr 30
Ann Arbor	Sep 26 to Oct 31	May 5
Lansing	Sep 29 to Nov 3	May 1
Dearborn	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
Livonia	Oct 3 to Nov 7	May 1
Troy	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 26
Farmington Hills	Oct 3 to Nov 7	May 1
Westland	Oct 13 to Nov 17	Apr 20
Flint	Sep 29 to Nov 3	May 3
Wyoming	Sep 26 to Oct 31	May 6
Rochester Hills	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 26
Southfield	Oct 3 to Nov 7	May 1
Kalamazoo	Oct 4 to Nov 8	Apr 28
Novi	Oct 3 to Nov 7	May 1
Pontiac	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 26
Taylor	Oct 13 to Nov 17	Apr 20
Dearborn Heights	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
St. Clair Shores	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 29
Royal Oak	Oct 17 to Nov 21	Apr 21
Kentwood	Sep 30 to Nov 4	Apr 30
Battle Creek	Oct 5 to Nov 9	Apr 30
Portage	Oct 4 to Nov 8	Apr 28
East Lansing	Oct 3 to Nov 7	Apr 28
Roseville	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 29
Saginaw	Oct 7 to Nov 11	Apr 29
Midland	Oct 2 to Nov 6	Apr 29
Lincoln Park	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
Muskegon	Oct 5 to Nov 9	Apr 30
Holland	Oct 7 to Nov 11	Apr 28
Eastpointe	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 29
Bay City	Oct 6 to Nov 10	Apr 27
Jackson	Sep 30 to Nov 4	May 1
Burton	Sep 21 to Oct 26	May 8
Oak Park	Oct 11 to Nov 15	Apr 27
Southgate	Oct 13 to Nov 17	Apr 20
Forest Hills	Oct 6 to Nov 10	Apr 29
Madison Heights	Oct 17 to Nov 21	Apr 21
Port Huron	Oct 20 to Nov 24	Apr 19
Allen Park	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
Hamtramck	Oct 17 to Nov 21	Apr 21
Garden City	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
Auburn Hills	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 26
Walker	Sep 26 to Oct 31	May 6
Allendale	Oct 10 to Nov 14	Apr 30
Okemos	Oct 3 to Nov 7	Apr 28
Holt	Oct 3 to Nov 7	Apr 28
Norton Shores	Oct 5 to Nov 9	Apr 30
Inkster	Oct 13 to Nov 17	Apr 20
Romulus	Oct 13 to Nov 17	Apr 20
Wyandotte	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
Waverly	Sep 29 to Nov 3	May 1
Marquette	Oct 7 to Nov 11	May 8
Birmingham	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 26
Mount Pleasant	Oct 6 to Nov 10	Apr 30
Adrian	Oct 1 to Nov 5	May 1
Monroe	Oct 9 to Nov 13	Apr 23

Questions

When should I plant tulip bulbs in Michigan?

In Detroit, fall planting from October 11 to November 15. Across Michigan the window opens between September 21 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.