Thanksgiving weekend may be all about turkey and leftovers, but for Oklahoma gardeners, it’s also prime time to get bulbs in the ground.
Cool soil, gentle moisture, and crisp late-fall weather create a sweet spot that bulbs absolutely love. Plant them now and they settle in quietly through winter, waking up with a burst of color the moment spring rolls around.
It’s the kind of timing that turns a simple holiday weekend into next season’s biggest garden payoff.
1. Tulips
Cold soil is exactly what tulips crave before they can put on their spring show. When you plant them during Thanksgiving weekend, the ground temperature has dropped enough to trigger strong root development without encouraging early sprouting.
Oklahoma’s late November weather creates ideal conditions for these popular bulbs. They’ll settle in comfortably and prepare for months of underground growth.
Come springtime, your tulips will push through with vibrant colors and sturdy stems because they got that essential chill period they needed.
2. Daffodils
Few bulbs handle Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather quite like daffodils. They’re tough enough to survive sudden temperature drops and warm spells without missing a beat, making them perfect for our state’s moody climate.
Planting them over Thanksgiving weekend gives these reliable bloomers plenty of time to establish deep roots. They’ll naturalize in your garden, meaning they’ll multiply and return year after year with minimal effort from you.
Your spring landscape will thank you with cheerful yellow blooms that deer won’t even bother eating.
3. Hyacinths
Did you know hyacinths need a solid cold period to produce those amazing fragrant blooms? Late November planting ensures they get enough chill hours to develop properly, which is crucial for their performance.
Oklahoma’s Thanksgiving weather typically provides just the right temperature range for these bulbs to start rooting without freezing damage. The soil is cool but still workable, making your planting experience much easier.
By spring, you’ll enjoy clusters of intensely scented flowers that fill your entire yard with their sweet perfume.
4. Crocus
Don’t let their tiny size fool you—crocus bulbs are incredibly tough little survivors. They actually love cool soil and will often be the very first flowers to appear in your garden, sometimes even poking through late winter snow.
Thanksgiving weekend gives them exactly what they need: enough time to root deeply before the ground freezes solid. Oklahoma’s climate works beautifully for these early bloomers.
You’ll spot their cheerful purple, yellow, and white faces greeting you while everything else is still sleeping through winter.
5. Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)
Borders and pathways come alive when you plant grape hyacinths along them. These hardy little bulbs are super easy to grow and rarely cause any trouble, making them perfect for beginner gardeners or anyone who wants low-maintenance beauty.
Planting them during Thanksgiving weekend allows their root systems to develop strong and deep before winter truly sets in. Oklahoma’s late fall conditions support this growth phase perfectly.
Their clusters of tiny blue or purple blooms will carpet your garden edges each spring with almost zero effort required from you.
6. Alliums
With their dramatic spherical blooms rising on tall stems, alliums add serious wow factor to any garden. These ornamental onions actually belong to the same family as the onions you eat, but they’re grown purely for their stunning visual impact.
Late fall planting during Thanksgiving weekend gives them the cold treatment they require to produce those spectacular early-summer flowers. Oklahoma’s timing works out perfectly for their growth cycle.
Deer and rabbits will leave them alone too, which means your investment stays protected and beautiful throughout the seasons.
7. Dutch Iris
Elegant and graceful, Dutch iris bulbs are absolutely perfect for Oklahoma’s growing conditions. They tolerate our temperature swings better than many other iris varieties and reward you with gorgeous blooms in shades of purple, blue, yellow, and white.
Thanksgiving weekend planting gives these bulbs the head start they need to establish before winter arrives in full force. The soil temperature is ideal for root development without encouraging premature top growth.
Your late spring garden will feature these stunning flowers standing tall on slender stems, perfect for cutting and bringing indoors.