Planting Bulbs in the Fall
Tulip Bulb getting ready to be planted in the rose garden!
There’s nothing better
than seeing daffodils, crocus, tulips, and other spring time bulbs emerge from the ground and offer us the first color in our gardens! They are truly a sign that the growing season is just starting to begin!
Planting your bulbs in the fall are super easy! Follow these steps and your bulbs will give you flowers for years to come!
When to plant your bulb?
Bulbs are best planted in the Fall, when temperatures have dropped. Wait until nighttime temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Planting too early can cause your bulb to start growing, which you do not want. You can plant your bulbs all the way up until the ground freezes, so be sure not to plant your bulbs too early in the fall!
If you live in a warmer climate, you may not have weather that gets cold enough for your bulbs, which need a cold period before it grows and blooms. As a general rule of thumb, bulbs need to be chilled at 45 degrees for at least 10 weeks. If your outside temperatures do not get to these temperatures, then you’ll need to refrigerate your spring time bulbs in order for them to bloom. Here is a great article to read if you live in zones 8-10 and want to have stunning spring time flowering bulbs.
Dig a hole for your bulbs!
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to plant your bulbs no more than 3 times the height of the bulb itself. Most packages that your bulbs give in tell you the planting depth, so you can use the directions from there, as well.
Add some compost to the soil!
Adding compost to the soil is a great way to ensure that your bulbs stay healthy and beautiful. Not only does compost offer wonderful nutrients to your bulbs, but it also helps with the soil structure surrounding your bulbs. Spring flowering bulbs do not like to be sitting in water; they prefer well-draining soil. Adding compost to the existing soil helps ensure that water doesn’t “sit” on the bulb, and causing it to rot. If you have soil that is high in clay content, you can also dig a much larger area to amend the soil with compost to help with better drainage in the general area where your bulbs will be living.
Consider adding bone meal!
Bone meal is a great additive for you to use when planting your bulbs. Bone meal is high in Phosphorus, which is the main nutrient needed for your bulbs to give you big, beautiful flowers. Sprinkle a small amount at the bottom of your planting hole before adding your bulbs.
Cover your bulb up!
After placing your bulb in the hole, it is time to fill it up with your soil/compost mix! Afterwards, you can also help your bulbs (and the rest of your garden!) by using mulch. Mulch helps insulate the ground and protects your plants’ roots during the cold freezing temperatures during the winter, and also helps with giving great nutrients to all of your plants as it breaks down. There are several kinds of mulch that you can use. Shredded bark, fallen leaves, compost, manures, to name a few.
Make sure to watch my video on YouTube on how to plant your bulbs in the Fall!
Have fun planting your bulbs, and enjoy them when they bloom for you next Spring!!
