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When to Plant Tulips in Delaware

The herald of spring. Plant tulip bulbs in fall for a breathtaking display when you need it most — after a long winter.

The Short Answer

Tulips are planted in fall in Delaware, 8 weeks before your first frost date. That means planting around Oct 10 - Oct 25 in Northern Delaware.

Delaware Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Delaware you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Delaware	7a	Apr 10 - Apr 25	Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Delaware	7b	Apr 1 - Apr 15	Oct 20 - Nov 5

Tulips Planting Schedule for Delaware

Northern Delaware (Zones 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Southern Delaware (Zones 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 1 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Growing Tulips in Delaware

Tulips in Delaware's Climate

Tulips perform well in your climate with adequate chilling. Plant in October-November. Many hybrid tulips decline after 2-3 years (they're bred for shows, not longevity) — species tulips and Darwin Hybrids return most reliably. Squirrels are the main challenge.

Soil Considerations for Delaware

Sandy soils in south, clay loam in north. Generally well-drained. Slightly acidic.

Delaware Climate & Growing Season

Moderate climate with maritime influence. Good growing conditions for a wide range of vegetables. Tulips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Delaware's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Delaware: Northern Delaware (7a) has a last frost around Apr 10 - Apr 25, while Southern Delaware (7b) sees frost end around Apr 1 - Apr 15. This difference matters for tulips — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Plant pointed end up, 6 inches deep. Need 12-14 weeks of cold below 40°F to bloom. Plant in groups of 10+ for the best show.

Companion Planting

Plant tulips alongside these companions for better growth:

Daffodils Hyacinths Pansies

The Bottom Line

Tulips can be grown successfully across Delaware, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Delaware gardeners should plan around a Apr 10 - Apr 25 last frost, while those in Southern Delaware can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026