By Andrew Bunting, PHS VP of Horticulture

As the crisp autumn air sets in, now is the perfect time to think ahead to your spring garden by planting bulbs this fall. The cooler months from October through December provide ideal conditions for getting those spring-blooming beauties into the ground.

Where you live in the country will determine more specifically when you should plant bulbs. In colder parts of the country, bulb planting will occur in October and in warmer parts of the county, November and even December is fine. Spring flowering bulbs such as hyacinths, Hyacinthus; tulips, Tulipa; daffodils, Narcissus; ornamental onions, Allium; snowdrops; Galanthus and snowflakes, Leucojum all need to be planted in the fall. Whether you're in a colder northern climate or enjoying a milder southern fall, there's still time to prepare for a stunning floral display next spring!

Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant Bulbs

While the bulb will be dormant when it is planted, it will immediately start to anchor itself into the soil as roots develop at the base of the bulb. Even though the air temperature might be cooling down in the fall, the soil will remain relatively warm and provide good conditions for the bulb to start developing roots before the soil gets colder and even freezes further into the winter. Additionally, the fall months heading into winter tend to have less evaporation after it rains because of cooler temperatures. The moist soil will aid in the bulbs becoming well-rooted heading into the winter.

How to Plant Bulbs in Fall for Spring Blooms 

Whether you're adding bulbs to existing garden beds or starting a new planting area, here are some tips for planting bulbs in fall. 

1. Choose Your Bulbs 

First, purchase the bulbs you would like to add to your garden. There are many companies that specialize in spring bulbs for the garden, but they also can be purchased from most local garden centers.  

Choices will depend on your personal aesthetics so have some fun with it! The most popular bulbs are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, snowdrops, snowflakes and ornamental onions. Most selections of these will thrive in many the temperate regions of the United States. Tulips and daffodils come in a myriad of colors, and many bulbs can be planted in masses for a strong visual effect or strategically added to existing plantings to compliment perennials in the garden. 

2. Prepare the Soil 

For newly planted areas, the soil can be turned with spade, shovel, or digging fork and then raked smoothly with a grading rake. For large areas, rototilling the site might be a more efficient approach. 

3. Consider Spacing and Depth 

Layout the bulbs where you want to plant them. Spacing will depend on how dense you want your plantings to be. A good guide is that large bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and ornamental onions should be planted six inches apart. Smaller bulbs such as snowflakes, snowdrops and crocus should be planted four inches apart. 

Different bulbs require different planting depths. Here’s a quick guide: 

• Iris, crocus, snowdrops, grape hyacinths: 2 inches deep 
• Muscari: 3 inches 
• Hyacinths: 4 inches 
• Tulips: 5 inches 
• Daffodils: 6 inches 
• Fritillarias and ornamental onions: 8 inches 

4. Think About Light Conditions 

Bulbs generally do best in full sun. They can be planted under the canopy of deciduous shrubs and trees (those that shed their leaves in the fall) since they will be flowering before the leaves emerge and won’t be impacted by any shade. 

5. Other Planting Tips 

• Most bulbs are more or less shaped like tear drops. The narrow part of the bulb should face skyward, and the more rounded part of the bulb should be planted and touching the soil. 
• As the bulbs are put in the respective holes you can cover them up by hand or by using a grading rake. 
• The soil is likely to be moist so it will not be necessary to water them. 

Best Flower Bulbs to Plant in Fall 

The choices of spring flowering bulbs that can be planted in the fall are seemingly endless. When choosing what types to plant, consider the size of your garden, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the desired bloom time. Below is a short list of popular types and their characteristics to help you. 

Most Popular Bulbs: 

Tulips (Tulipa) 

• One of the quintessential flowering bulbs for the spring. 
• Upright stems with many flower classifications including single, double, lily-flowered, parrot, fringed and species. 
• Flower colors include white, pink, yellow, purple, orange and red. 
• Most tulips are typically short-lived, only lasting 2-3 years. 
• One of the most popular cut flowers across the globe. 
• Blooming typically occurs in April to May and much earlier in the southern states. 
• They are very susceptible to damage from squirrels and deer so think about how to protect them. 

Daffodils (Narcissus) 

• Prized for being perennial and for the clumps expanding over time. 
• Can start blooming in late winter, but in most climates bloom in March to April. 
• Popular classifications include trumpet, double, cyclamineus, and miniatures. 
• Flower colors include yellow, orange, pink and white. 
• Daffodils are resistant to deer. 

Hyacinths (Hyacinthus) 

• Prized for their sweet fragrance. 
• They are perennial in the garden. 
• They are popular as a cut flower or grown in a pot. 
• Hyacinths are deer resistant. 
• Colors come in pink, purple, blue and white. 

Ornamental onions (Allium) 

• Noted for their relatively tall stem with a globe of white, purple or lavender flowers. 
• An excellent addition to the perennial border 
• They tend to bloom later than many spring flowering bulbs often blooming in May. 
• Like other members of the onion family, they are deer resistant. 
• Small bulbs (Snowdrops, Galanthus; Snowflakes, Leucojum; Grape hyacinth, Muscari) 
• These are most effectively grown in large masses under small trees and shrubs. 
• Bloom early in the year in February and March. 
• Galanthus, Leucojum and Muscari are deer resistant. 

 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Bulbs 

• Check bulbs: There will be some bulbs that are dried out and should not be planted. These usually are considerable lighter than the other bulbs so make sure to check your bulbs. 

• Storage: Bulbs should be stored in dry, well-ventilated, cool conditions until planting. Conditions that are too hot can damage the bulbs. If it is too humid this might lead to fungal issues or rotting. 

• Soil considerations: For most bulbs the soil should be well-draining. Bulbs that don’t have good drainage are likely to rot. 

• Planting depth: Bulbs that are not planted deep enough run the risk of not being well insulated by the soil for the winter and conversely bulbs that are too deep may not emerge in the spring. 

How to Care for Bulbs After Planting 

• Bulbs should head into the winter with the soil being moist but not wet. 
• Tulips can be attractive to squirrels. If squirrels are prevalent cover the area with chicken wire to keep them out. 
•  Bulbs start to emerge and flower depending on spring temperatures 
• Emerging tulips will be vulnerable to being eaten by both squirrels and deer. 
• As the tulips, hyacinths and daffodils flowers mature and start to turn brown.  Flowers can be removed (deadheading) to keep the display fresh. 
• Once all the bulbs are finished flowering the foliage will turn yellow. When foliage is completely yellow it can be cut to the ground. The dormant bulbs will remain until  the following spring when they bloom again. 
• Many tulip cultivars can be treated as annuals and re-planted each year.  While they may come back from year to year the vigor of the plants will be diminished. 

Start Planting Now for a Beautiful Spring 

Bulbs are the great harbinger of spring. Every year as bulbs emerge and bloom, they bring amazing color to the garden and joy to the gardener. They often signify the passage from winter to spring and there are few plants that can provide the same “flower power” as spring flowering bulbs. Bulbs are one of the easiest ornamental plants to grow and even the novice gardener will delight in their instant successes. Now is the time to purchase bulbs via mail order sources or local garden centers.  Let the magic of spring bulbs transform your garden. Start planting today!