The long, hot summer has finally ended and fall has moved in. The leaves are changing on the trees, mornings, in particular, are crisp and cool, and those of us who are into planting bulbs can’t get them in the ground soon enough.
The perfect time to plant bulbs for spring flowers isOctober and November, although in some areas that have a warmer climate bulbs can go in the ground until the end of November, maybe into December. Keep in mind, however, if you do plant later in the year that your flowers will likely bloom later in the spring. The great thing is that they’ll bloom on time the year after.
Be sure you select high quality bulbs that are large and firm and stay away from bulbs that soft or have mold growing on them. Larger bulbs typically bloom more than smaller ones. Next, be careful about deciding where to plant. Full sun is more often than not the best choice and you need to make sure the soil drains well.
Once you start planting, make sure you water the bulbs, which will help the roots grow. Regarding how deep to plant the bulbs, dig a hole about two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall. If you have a large, three-inch bulb the hole should be anywhere from six to nine inches deep. If you still have questions, just check the directions that will come with the bulbs. As a general reference, standard Tulips, Daffodils, and Hyacinths go appx 6” deep and smaller bulbs like Crocus, Grape Hyacinths, and naturalizing tulips 3-4” deep.
It’s best to plant the bulbs with the pointed end up. If your bulb doesn’t have a point, just remember that the side where the roots emerge from the bulb should face down. In general, bulbs look better planted in groups in holes as big as a diner plate (use a garden spade instead of a bulb planter). Layer different kinds of bulbs from the bottom to the top in the same hole to create a succession of blooms wherever you choose to plant. Also, mix some compost into the hole to help intensify blooming.
There is also a unique procedure of planting spring blooming bulbs beneath cool season flowers such as Pansies and Violas. These beauties will emerge in early to mid spring and poke thru those developed blooming flowers to get double the blooming feature and power. Use contrasting colors to enhance each other such as red tulips beneath yellow pansies.
Finally, keep weeds away from your planted bulbs by spreading several inches of mulch over the dirt. Mulching will also provide a neater finished bulb planting project and also acts as a soil insulator to keep the soil temperature constant properly controlling the timing of the bulb’s emergence in early spring.You can also lay a piece of chicken wire down over the soil, which will keep animals from destroying your hard work and robbing you of beautiful spring flowers. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other small rodents are the troublesome critters that often enjoy digging up bulbs. Apply repellents focused for this types of troublesome pests can assist with repelling the critters from your bulb planting investment. Remember, you’ll have to reapply as needed usually being once every week or two.
Happy fall bulb planting!
FAQs
What is the best month to plant spring bulbs? ›
Most spring-flowering bulbs should be planted 6 to 8 weeks before the soil begins to freeze. In growing zones 4-5, the ideal planting time is mid to late October. Gardeners in zones 6-8 should wait until November. In warmer areas (zones 9-10), most spring-blooming bulbs must be chilled before they are planted.
Should you soak bulbs before planting in spring? ›Before planting your bulbs in the garden, give them a protective bath to reduce the chance of disease and encourage growth. To make the solution for the bath, mix together: 2 gallons warm water. 2 teaspoons baby shampoo.
When to plant bulbs in Tennessee? ›Crocus, hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips are all bulbs that we plant in the fall in East Tennessee. They need the cool of winter in order to bloom and also need time to establish a healthy root system. Plant them when temperatures are below 65 degrees either in the ground or in containers.
What bulbs are best to plant in spring? ›They're also easy to grow and low maintenance. K. van Bourgondien offers a wide selection of spring-planted or tender bulbs including Anemones, Begonias, Calla Lilies, Caladiums, Cannas, Crocosmia, Dahlias, Elephant Ears, Freesia, Gladiolus, Lilies, Ranunculus, Tuberoses and other spring-planted bulbs.
Do you water bulbs after planting in spring? ›With the right timing, you can keep the colorful show going from spring to fall. Bulbs do not require water during the dormant season. Water them in once when planting your bulbs, and keep them watered regularly during the growing season, but don't water them when they are in the ground.
What happens if you plant bulbs too late in the spring? ›After planting, bulbs produce small feeder roots that anchor the bulbs in place over winter and absorb water to hydrate bulbs until spring. Plant too early, and after feeder roots form, shoots will also start to grow, which can diminish spring growth. Plant too late, and feeder roots won't have time to form.
What should you do immediately after planting bulbs? ›After planting, if it's dry, water well several times after you plant. Fall bulbs don't readily root in dry soil. In places where there's a dry autumn and then a hard freeze, the bulbs can die because there's not enough moisture in the roots. So take care to water during the fall if it's a dry one.
What do you add to soil when planting bulbs? ›Clay soil impedes root growth and has poor, uneven and damaging water retention and drainage. Clay planting sites should be amended with sand, peat moss, neutral pH organic matter and/or neutral pH, well-aged leaf compost at least one foot beneath the bulb planting depth so that bulbs never sit in water.
Do you peel bulbs before planting? ›Remove the roots and the main outer shell, do not remove the inner shell that is protecting the bulb. There are several smaller bulbs wrapped inside the main shell. It's very important to dry the bulbs on a flat surface, a nice breeze on a sunny day is usually perfect.
Can I plant bulbs in May? ›While spring blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall, summer-blooming bulbs should be planted in mid-spring, after the frost's risk has passed. Usually, we're safe to plant summer-blooming bulbs after the second week of May. However, if you haven't planted your summer bulbs yet, it's not too late!
Do tulips like sun or shade? ›
Tulips require full sun for the best display, which means at least 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight per day. They also prefer fast-draining soil and, consequently, make excellent additions to rock gardens.
How long do you have to keep bulbs before planting? ›How long do bulbs need to be prechilled? Somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks—the longer the better. Bulbs that are to be planted in Southern California and in Zone 8b and warmer in the South need at least 10 weeks.
What are the easiest spring bulbs to grow? ›DAFFODIL (Narcissus spp.)
There are hundreds of varieties in a wide array of sizes and forms, with colors of yellow, white, orange, peach, and bicolors. These reliable hardy bulbs are easy to grow and long-lived, providing many years of spring color in the landscape. Learn more about growing daffodils.
You'll get the most bang for your bulb buck by planting spring bulbs where you – and others – will see them the most, generally along the front of the house, in a front-yard garden, or along an entryway or path.
What is the first bulb to bloom in spring? ›Snowdrops, or Galanthus, are often the first spring flowers to appear in season—and they're a great choice for areas that stay cool a bit later in the year. These short-statured plants with small white blooms are incredibly hardy, and most early spring bulbs will flower before the last day of winter!
How long do bulbs last unplanted? ›Most bulbs can be stored for up to a year, but tend to perform best when planted within six months of lifting. For tender bulbs, be sure to plant in the spring following the fall in which they were lifted-they will likely not have enough energy to survive past the warm season and into the following year.
What temperature do you plant bulbs? ›Cool touch
A good rule of thumb is to wait until you have had at least two weeks of 50°F (10°C) night time temperatures. Once that has happened you measure the soil temperature by digging a hole a few inches deep and simply sticking your hand into it. If the soil feels warm, it's too early to plant.