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When to plant Tulips in Logan County, KS

For Tulips in Logan County, the safe spring window opens around mid-spring and closes around late spring. Last expected frost is April 30, first fall frost October 12, giving a 165-day growing season. A second sowing from August 31 to September 14 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Tulips in Logan County, KS

Logan County, Kansas Zone 6a July

Logan County, Kansas gardeners: here's your July plan

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Logan County, Kansas.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
  • Fall sowing: tulips

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Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are the quintessential spring bulb, producing their iconic cup-shaped blooms in virtually every color from pure white to near-black. Fall-planted and cold-dependent, they emerge in early spring before most other flowers, providing weeks of bold color at a time when gardens are just waking up. Hundreds of cultivars span early-, mid-, and late-season types, extending the display across six weeks when planted in succession.

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Logan County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Tulips during the growing season.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Logan County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Tulips Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25 🌸 Bloom from: Apr 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30 🌸 Bloom from: Apr 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 13 🌸 Bloom from: Apr 22

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Logan County

How your county's soil matches Tulips's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.4) overlaps with Tulips's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Logan County is excellent for Tulips — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Tulips.

How to Plant Tulips

8"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 6 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Tulips

13
successive plantings in your 165-day season

Sow every 1.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 31.

Tulips Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Tulips

Tulips needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tulips Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Logan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tulips Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Tulips needs ~309 GDD — county provides 2,268 GDD Excellent fit

Tulips Planting Timeline — Logan County, KS

Tulips Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom August 10 Aug 10 – Sep 7
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 – Sep 14

Plant 8" deep · 5" apart · Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August Fall Sowing Bloom
September Fall Sowing Bloom
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

15–30 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Tulips in Logan County

Direct sow Tulips outdoors after April 30 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 165.0-day season in Logan County allows multiple plantings of Tulips. Sow every 7.0 days for continuous harvest.

Logan County receives only 22" of rain annually. Tulips needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant bulbs pointed-end up in fall, 6–8 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart, in well-drained soil. Tulips require 12–16 weeks of cold at 35–45°F for proper vernalization — they fail to bloom without it. In zones 7–8b, plant bulbs a few weeks later than further north (late November) to ensure cold-soil uptake before spring warmth. Lift and discard bulbs after bloom in zones 7b+, as heat prevents reliable repeat flowering; treat them as annuals. Allow foliage to die back naturally before removing — it feeds next year's bulb (if leaving in the ground). Do not overwater; excellent drainage is essential to prevent bulb rot. Zones 9+: outdoor culture is not recommended; pre-chilling in the refrigerator is required and results are inconsistent.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tulips in Logan County, KS?

Logan County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Tulips planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, KS?

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

When should I plant Tulips in Logan County, KS?

In Logan County, KS, plant Tulips after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Logan County, KS for Tulips?

Logan County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Tulips grows reliably in zones 3a through 8b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tulips grow in Logan County's climate?

Yes — Tulips grows well in Logan County's temperate climate. Logan County averages a 165-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 12.

🌱

Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Logan County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Logan County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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