The best thing about fall flower bulb planting is how easy they are to grow. Planting bulbs in the fall has other benefits, like cooler temperatures and fewer bugs to contend with. But, the ease of growing these bulbs is why you should plant bulbs this fall. For new gardeners, there are a few main principles and guidelines that will set you up for success this fall for a beautiful spring. Follow these ten tips for fall flower bulb planting to have a healthy and happy garden in spring.
Top 10 Fall Flower Bulb Planting Tips
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The best time to plant bulbs in the fall is when the daytime temperatures are in the 60’s or lower during the day on a consistent basis.
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As long as the ground can be dug into fall planted bulbs can be planted through late fall and into early winter.
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Plant bulbs that are suited for your hardiness zone. Find your zone here.
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Fertilize with slow-release bulb food at the time of planting for the most healthy and robust bulbs and blooms.
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The pointed end of the bulb should be facing up. If you are unsure which is the pointed end, lay the bulb on its side.
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Use a bulb auger attached to a cordless drill for quicker digging.
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Adding natural wood mulch after planting helps keep the soil temperature consistent through winter.
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Plant early, mid, and late blooming bulbs for a garden that blooms all spring.
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Plant bulbs in groups of 3-5 bulbs per hole for a robust grouping of blooms in the spring.
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Loose soil that drains well is best for bulbs as they don’t like sitting in soil that is overly wet.
Growing Fall Planted Flower Bulbs is Easy
Planting bulbs in the fall for spring blooms is one of the best garden investments. Fall bulbs are so easy to grow, that they do most of the work while sleeping underground in winter. As long as the bulbs are planted in the proper hardiness zone, at the right time and the soil drains well they are easy peasy.
One tip not mentioned is that some bulbs like tulips and hyacinths require cold temperatures in order to produce a flower bud. They need 12-16 weeks of temperatures consistently below 50 degrees during the day in order to flower. Check your hardiness zone but also know what your local temperatures generally are if planting tulips and other bulbs that need cold temperatures.
For more detailed information on fall flower bulb planting this helpful article, The Beginners Guide to Planting Bulbs in the Fall has ALL of the information needed for success!
