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When to plant Tulips in Stanton County, KS

Plant Tulips in Stanton County, when soil hits 50°F — usually mid-spring. Continue planting through late spring for the spring crop. A second sowing from September 9 to September 23 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Tulips in Stanton County, KS

Stanton County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Stanton County, Kansas

Your garden in Stanton County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 26
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs

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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.

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Stanton County receives approximately 27.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Tulips during the growing season.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Stanton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Stanton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Tulips Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 20 🌸 Bloom from: Mar 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 26 🌸 Bloom from: Apr 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12 🌸 Bloom from: Apr 21

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 Stanton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) overlaps with Tulips's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Tulips will thrive.

How to Plant Tulips

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

Fall planting: Sow 5 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Tulips

14
successive plantings in your 171-day season

Sow every 1.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 09.

Tulips Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Stanton 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 ~326 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Tulips Planting Timeline — Stanton County, KS

Tulips Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom August 19 Aug 19 – Sep 16
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 – Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August 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 6b

📆 Growing Season

171 days in Stanton County

Growing Tips for Tulips in Stanton County

Direct sow Tulips outdoors after April 26 in Stanton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 171.0-day season in Stanton County allows multiple plantings of Tulips. Sow every 7.0 days for continuous harvest.

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 Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Tulips planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 14.

When should I plant Tulips in Stanton County, KS?

In Stanton County, KS, plant Tulips after the last frost (around April 26) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stanton County, KS for Tulips?

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

Can Tulips grow in Stanton County's climate?

Yes — Tulips grows well in Stanton County's temperate climate. Stanton County averages a 171-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 26 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Stanton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stanton County (Zone 6b). 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 Stanton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.