When to plant tulips in Joplin: 2 October – end of December

In Joplin, tulip: plant from 2 October to the end of December.

Bulbs are best planted early in the window: late-planted bulbs may flower later or less well. Late planting works only while the soil can be dug. Mulch after planting.

The average daily temperature here stays above 0 °C all winter, and at least three months average 7 °C or less: our rule of thumb for the winter cold spring bulbs need. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, UNH Extension, RHS.

Tulip in Joplin: soil, season and weather

Nights then average below 0 °C in January, February; the coldest, January, averages -2.2 °C.

Planting	2 October – end of December
First autumn frost	1 November
Coldest nights	January, -2.2 °C
Soil back at 7 °C in spring	4 February
Daylight	11:47 on 2 October
Daylight at the winter solstice	9:37

The same dates in Joplin hold for Garlic, Daffodil, Crocus and Hyacinth.

Tulip in Joplin: depth, winter cold, pests and pets

Plant tulips at a depth of two to three times the bulb’s height, at least twice the bulb’s width apart, pointed end up (RHS).

In Joplin the average daily temperature stays at 10 °C or lower for about 16 weeks a year (our estimate from ten years of monthly weather). For this bulb Wisconsin Horticulture Extension gives a cold period of 15–17 weeks at about 2–10 °C. The winter here gives that in the ground, so the bulbs need no pre-chilling.

Border tulips often fail to flower in their second year if left in the ground, so many gardeners grow them for one spring and plant fresh bulbs each autumn; Darwin hybrid and Kaufmanniana tulips reflower more reliably (RHS). Soils that stay wet in summer make reflowering difficult (RHS): in Joplin the three warmest months bring about 277 mm of rain together.

Grey squirrels often dig up tulip bulbs: lay chicken wire over the bed until the leaves appear, or plant daffodils among them, which squirrels avoid (RHS). Tulips are toxic to dogs, cats and horses, the bulb most of all (ASPCA).

Sources: RHS, Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, ASPCA.

Tulip in nearby cities

Around Joplin, Topeka is 3 days earlier and Fort Smith 17 days later.

City	Distance	Date	Difference
Fayetteville	118 km	11 October – end of December	9 days later
Tulsa	168 km	by 18 October	16 days later
Fort Smith	189 km	by 19 October	17 days later
Kansas City	225 km	2 October – end of December	same day
Topeka	241 km	29 September – 30 December	3 days earlier
Wichita	259 km	30 September – end of December	2 days earlier

Questions