When to Plant Tulips in Holt County, NE
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.
Holt County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.
At an elevation of 708 feet, Holt County receives approximately 28 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tulips to ensure they mature before fall.
Holt County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Tulips Planting Timeline — Holt County, NE
Tulips Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom | July 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Fall Sowing | August 25 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
Plant 8" deep · 5" apart · Rows 6" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Fall Sowing Bloom |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
📅 Days to Maturity
15–30 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
155 days in Holt County
Growing Tips for Holt County
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 →
Tulips in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tulips in Holt County, NE?
Holt County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Tulips planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Holt County, NE?
Holt County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Holt County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Holt County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.