When to plant tulip bulbs in Wisconsin

Fall planting in Milwaukee

Oct 4–Nov 8

Across Wisconsin the window opens between September 20 and October 12. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Milwaukee: Oct 4–Nov 8
Last frost, Milwaukee: Apr 26

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

MilwaukeeOct 4–Nov 8

MadisonSep 25–Oct 30

Green BaySep 25–Oct 30

KenoshaOct 5–Nov 9

RacineOct 10–Nov 14

AppletonSep 22–Oct 27

Eau ClaireSep 30–Nov 4

WaukeshaSep 29–Nov 3

OshkoshOct 6–Nov 10

JanesvilleOct 1–Nov 5

West AllisOct 8–Nov 12

La CrosseSep 29–Nov 3

SheboyganOct 9–Nov 13

WauwatosaOct 4–Nov 8

Fond du LacOct 5–Nov 9

BrookfieldSep 30–Nov 4

Menomonee FallsSep 24–Oct 29

WausauSep 20–Oct 25

New BerlinSep 30–Nov 4

Sun PrairieSep 26–Oct 31

Oak CreekOct 12–Nov 16

GreenfieldSep 30–Nov 4

FranklinSep 30–Nov 4

BeloitSep 28–Nov 2

ManitowocOct 6–Nov 10

FitchburgSep 25–Oct 30

West BendSep 28–Nov 2

Mount PleasantOct 10–Nov 14

NeenahSep 22–Oct 27

SuperiorSep 25–Oct 30

All 43 cities

City	Fall planting	Last frost
Milwaukee	Oct 4 to Nov 8	Apr 26
Madison	Sep 25 to Oct 30	May 1
Green Bay	Sep 25 to Oct 30	May 7
Kenosha	Oct 5 to Nov 9	Apr 28
Racine	Oct 10 to Nov 14	Apr 20
Appleton	Sep 22 to Oct 27	May 4
Eau Claire	Sep 30 to Nov 4	Apr 24
Waukesha	Sep 29 to Nov 3	May 1
Oshkosh	Oct 6 to Nov 10	Apr 24
Janesville	Oct 1 to Nov 5	Apr 26
West Allis	Oct 8 to Nov 12	Apr 26
La Crosse	Sep 29 to Nov 3	Apr 27
Sheboygan	Oct 9 to Nov 13	Apr 25
Wauwatosa	Oct 4 to Nov 8	Apr 26
Fond du Lac	Oct 5 to Nov 9	Apr 27
Brookfield	Sep 30 to Nov 4	Apr 30
Menomonee Falls	Sep 24 to Oct 29	May 6
Wausau	Sep 20 to Oct 25	May 6
New Berlin	Sep 30 to Nov 4	May 3
Sun Prairie	Sep 26 to Oct 31	May 1
Oak Creek	Oct 12 to Nov 16	Apr 22
Greenfield	Sep 30 to Nov 4	May 3
Franklin	Sep 30 to Nov 4	May 3
Beloit	Sep 28 to Nov 2	May 1
Manitowoc	Oct 6 to Nov 10	Apr 30
Fitchburg	Sep 25 to Oct 30	May 1
West Bend	Sep 28 to Nov 2	May 1
Mount Pleasant	Oct 10 to Nov 14	Apr 20
Neenah	Sep 22 to Oct 27	May 4
Superior	Sep 25 to Oct 30	May 6
Stevens Point	Sep 23 to Oct 28	May 4
Muskego	Sep 30 to Nov 4	May 3
De Pere	Sep 25 to Oct 30	Apr 30
Caledonia	Oct 10 to Nov 14	Apr 24
Mequon	Sep 24 to Oct 29	May 6
Middleton	Oct 1 to Nov 5	Apr 28
Watertown	Sep 28 to Nov 2	Apr 28
Howard	Sep 25 to Oct 30	May 7
Pleasant Prairie	Oct 12 to Nov 16	Apr 19
Germantown	Sep 24 to Oct 29	May 6
Onalaska	Oct 3 to Nov 7	Apr 23
South Milwaukee	Oct 12 to Nov 16	Apr 22
Oconomowoc	Sep 28 to Nov 2	Apr 30

Questions

When should I plant tulip bulbs in Wisconsin?

In Milwaukee, fall planting from October 4 to November 8. Across Wisconsin the window opens between September 20 and October 12, 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.