Planting Flower Bulbs For Next Spring
As the fall months progress, most of us are cleaning out our gardens before the winter. Gathering the last fruits and vegetables before the early overnight frosts get them, or making sure that your garden beds are cleaned out to be ready for spring planting and growth. However, what if we told you that while you were accomplishing all of these gardening tasks, you could also be planting to prepare for next Spring? While that might sound crazy, Fall is the time to plant your Flower bulbs. These colorfully blooming flowers are a fantastic addition to your garden in the Spring, greeting the warmer months of Summer in the later days of the Spring. So let's dive into some of the different facets of planting flower bulbs, including, when, where, and how to plant your flower bulbs this Fall!
When To Plant Flower Bulbs:
Getting the timing right is crucial when it comes to planting your flower bulbs. Typically the best time to plant flower bulbs is in the fall about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. With nearly two months in the ground, the flower bulbs will have time to establish roots before the winter really sets in. In colder regions, this time table often means that you will want to plant your bulbs sometime during the months of September through early November. For warmer climates (Zones 10-11), the planting season for bulbs can often last into the month of December. A quick tip for gardeners of warmer climates, if the temperature isn’t quite cold enough, try cooling your bulbs for a while before planting.
Why Plant In The Fall?
While planting in the fall might not make the most sense, planting bulbs during the Fall is the best way to get the most out of these plants during the Spring months. Planting in the cool soil allows the bulb to take root, during the Winter, the bulb will enter a state of dormancy. As the ground thaws in the spring, the bulbs will sprout and the flowers will bloom during the springtime.
Where Should I Plant My Flower Bulbs?
Now that we have an idea of when to plant these flower bulbs, choosing our location is the next step. So here are a few tips on where to plant these phenomenal bulbs:
Sunlight: For the most part, flowering bulbs will thrive in full sunlight. Make sure to choose a spot in your garden or around your home that will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to provide the best possible location for your flowers.
Soil: Because these bulbs will be sitting in the ground during the fall and throughout the winter, and spring thaw, make sure the soil around the bulbs is well-draining. Well-drained soil will prevent the proliferation of bulb rot among your flowers before they are able to bloom. If your garden has poorly draining soil, or is heavy in clay, consider amending the soil with compost, or other planting soils, if this is not possible, plant the bulbs in a planter box.
Spacing: Because these plants will only grow from the individually planted flower bulb, spacing and arranging the bulbs is key to creating the desired effect. For more natural looks, you might consider planting your bulbs in closer clusters, or for a tidy and organized look, consider planting your bulbs in rows or patterns. For an added look, consider planting your flower bulbs around a garden trellis
How To Plant Your Flower Bulbs
With timing, location, and bulbs in hand, it’s now time to plant your flower bulbs. Planting these bulbs is a relatively simple process, so make sure not to overthink it, but let’s go over the basics to help you have the most success.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
This step is relatively simple as you’ll only really need flower bulbs and a trowel or bulb planter. We will also include some instructions on how to plant with compost or mulch, both of which are optional.
Step 2: Prepare Your Soil
Loosen the soil in the planting spots that you chose in the last step. If you are adding compost or amending the soil around your flower bulbs, mix the compost or planting soil in now to enrich your natural dirt. For proper planting Aim for a depth of about 12 inches for the best bulb growth.
Step 3: Plant Your Bulbs
The first step of actually planting your bulbs is the depth. Your bulb should be planted at a depth of about two to three times their height. For example if your bulb is about 3 inches tall, it should be planted about 6 to 9 inches deep in the ground. The bulb should be planted with the pointed end facing up for the easiest growth. If you aren’t sure which end of the bulb is the right one, don’t worry about it too much as the plant will find its way to the surface. Finally, make sure that the bulbs are not planted too close to each other. Larger bulbs (like tulips) might need about 4 to 6 inches, while smaller bulbs (like crocuses) need approximately 2 to 3 inches.
Step 4: Plant & Mulch
Now that the bulbs are in the ground, gently cover them with soil and lightly tamp down the soil. Water the area to allow the dirt to settle, if you are planting in the Fall you might not need to water the bulbs again thanks to the rain. If you are adding mulch, now is the time to do it. Cover the top of the filled in hole. The mulch should not be any deeper than 2 to 3 inches for the best results.
Planting flower bulbs is a great fall gardening activity that will pay massive dividends in the Spring with their bright and beautiful blooms. Not only do these plants add a pop of color to your garden, but they will also be a welcome reward for all your work in the fall this next spring. So get out there and start to plant your bulbs.