How to Plant Fall Bulbs

Spring Garden/Fall Bulbs

Planting fall bulbs is so much easier than I ever would have thought!  After some basic prep work, it is really just three simple steps to getting this project under control!  Read on to find out how!

Dutch Tulip Field

The first thing to remember when planting bulbs is that it needs to be done about 6 weeks before the ground freezes.  For most people, that means right now!  If you are a little closer to that time than I am here in the desert southwest, then you may be a little late for this year.  If that is the case, you can always just pot up some bulbs and force them indoors. Click HERE to learn how to do this!

Forced Bulbs

Aside from planning when you will need to get your bulbs in the ground in your area, you will need to do some basic garden preparation for bulbs, just as you would for any planting.  Bulbs can be planted just about anywhere, but make sure the site is well-drained.  Bulbs do not like to have their feet wet.  Choose a place that will not allow for any standing water under the ground.

Amsterdam Woodland Tulip Garden

You should loosen up the soil in the area you wish to place your bulbs.  Turn it over with a spade or garden fork to a depth of about 10 inches.  Make sure you break up the soil all around where you plan to put the bulbs as you want them to have enough room for the roots to spread out and then for the plants to grow and reproduce.  Most bulbs will naturalize in an area within a few years. 

Naturalized Tulips

Back when I lived in Iowa, I remember seeing little patches of tulips, crocus and daffodils growing along the road in the springtime and similar patches of lilies and iris in the summers.  The little groups of these plants, although "wild" now, had originally marked the locations of driveways and front porches that had once existed, but had long since disappeared.  The happy little flowers had completely naturalized and still came up every year, a cheerful, yet somewhat spooky, reminder of the homesteads and farms that once were. 

Tulips in the Woods--These tulips escaped from a garden many years ago, but have since naturalized in this woodland setting.

Lincoln Highway Route Sign on Modern County Road

One spring, a friend and I came across an abandoned portion of the Lincoln Highway that ran through a heavily wooded area.  There were huge, decades old trees growing in the middle of what had been the first major roadway across the United States (long before numbered highways were conceived!)  We followed it for several miles through that woods, but along the way were surprised to discover what appeared to be two "flower gardens" tucked in under those trees.  The two "gardens" were about two miles apart and consisted mainly of tulips, tiger lilies, and daffodils. 

Old House with Naturalized Tulips--The tulips in the lower left corner of this image have not been tended for many years, but still come up each spring.

Upon closer investigation, we located some rubble at one of the locations that appeared to be an old foundation.  The "garden" at that spot was basically situated where the front of the house had been (as in the photo above and in the one below), although the flowers spilled all over the ruins now.  In the other location, there was no longer evidence of a house, but the flowers must have been planted on either side of where the driveway or property entrance had been.  It really made me think about how much patience and pride those two neighboring families must have taken in their little farms and about how carefully and lovingly tended those lovely gardens had been at one time.  

Old House with Naturalized Daffodils--The daffodils in the lower left of this photo have not been cared for in many years, yet they still come up each spring.

The Lincoln Highway was essentially decommissioned sometime in the 1950's or early '60's when the Interstate Highway System came into favor.  Who knows how many decades ago those farmsteads had been abandoned, along with the stretch of road they looked onto!  Those little spring bulb beds had certainly been growing there for at least the last 50 years!  It would not surprise me if I were to learn that they had been growing there for closer to 150 years.  

These Lilac bushes are very similar to those that grew around the perimeter of the yard of the house I shared with my brother.  I planted a row of yellow daffodils and a row of red tulips under and in front of them for lots of spring color.

Additionally, I once planted 2 rows of bulbs in the yard of a house my brother and I shared for a while.  The house had huge lilac bushes as a fence row around the back yard.  I wanted to jazz up the spring color and added a row of daffodils and a row of red tulips in front of those bushes.  That was about 25 years ago, and although my brother no longer lives there, he assures me that the tulips and daffodils came up every spring while he still lived there and still continue to do so!

Tulips and Grape Hyacinth:  This image is of a castle garden where a number of bulbs have been naturalized over time.

The point of my story is simply that, if planted properly, your bulbs will be there for you for years to come.  The fact is, they will probably be there long after you are no longer around to enjoy them anymore!

Urban Tulip Garden

Now, back to the planting.  Once you have loosened up your soil around where you want to plant your bulbs, you may want to amend your soil with some compost or other organic material to add nutrients to your soil.  The only other major concern with planting bulbs is to make sure that you are planting them at the right depth.  There are a couple of general rules governing planting depths for bulbs.

Different Flower Bulbs

The first is that basically your hole should be about two or three times deeper than the bulb itself is tall.  The second general rule is that big bulbs should be planted about 8 inches deep, while smaller ones at about 5 inches deep.  The chart below will also give you an idea of proper planting depths for various bulbs.  However, the best course of action is to follow the instructions for planting on the bulb package as that will give you the definitive answer for how deep to place your bulbs.

Bulb Planting Depth Guide

When choosing bulbs, try to get the largest bulbs possible.  The larger the bulb, the more energy it has stored up, and so therefore, the more and larger blooms it will produce.  Also, make sure that the bulbs you choose are firm and free from nicks and bruises.  Take care that the roots have not started to grow yet, too.  Now you should be ready to get them in the ground.

Essentially there are only three steps to planting the bulbs.

1. Dig your hole.  As mentioned earlier, dig the correct sized hole for the bulb you are using, according to package directions.
2. Measure the hole with a ruler to make sure you have it correct. Then place your bulb in the hole.  You can put more than one bulb in each hole.  Just ensure that they will not be touching each other once you cover them up.  Bulbs go in with the pointy side sticking up and the roots going down.  If you can't tell which end is which, lay the bulb on its side in the hole and it will figure out which way it needs to grow.
3. Cover up the bulb with soil and lightly compress the dirt, but don't pack it.  You want the soil to stay light and fluffy so it is easy for the bulb to grow.  Water it thoroughly now, but there is no reason to water it again until spring when sprouts appear, unless your winters are very dry.

Past Prime

When the flowers finish blooming in the spring, cut off the spent flower heads, but don't touch the foliage.  Through its leaves is how the plant collects the nutrients and energy it will need for the following year's bloom.  Once the foliage turns yellow or brown, you may cut it off at ground level.

Potted Bulbs

That's it! Now just sit back and relax and wait for spring. With a very little amount of effort on your part, you will have lush early flowers and all you have to do is enjoy them!

Drop me a comment or send me an email to let me know your own "bulb stories" and about your own experiences with growing bulbs.  I can't wait to hear from you!

Peace and Love Always,

Bulb Show

Sources:  

"Fall Bulb Planting For Spring Blooms". Old Farmer's Almanac. N. p., 2016. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

"How To Plant Fall Flower Bulbs". American Meadows. N. p., 2016. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

"Tips For Planting Your Favorite Bulbs". Better Homes and Gardens. N. p., 2016. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.

Photo Credits:  

Fall Bulbs Background 1:  http://allanbecker-gardenguru.squarespace.com/journal/tag/flowering-bulbs

Spring Garden/Fall Bulbs:  Photo Credit:  http://primexgardencenter.com/planting-fall-bulbs/

Dutch Tulip Field:   Photo credit: HereIsTom via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Forced Bulbs 2:  Photo Credit:  https://laidbackgardener.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/forcing-bulbs-without-twisting-arms/

Amsterdam Woodland Tulip Field:   Photo credit: Viator.com via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA

Naturalized Tulips with Tree:  Photo Credit:  http://www.outdoor-photos.com/photo/25266.html

Red Tulips in Abandoned Garden:   Photo Credit:  http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/abandoned_garden.html

Old House with Tulips:  Photo Credit:  http://www.fond-ecran-image.com/galerie-membre,pologne,p1110541maison-anciennejpg.php

Old House with Daffodils:  Photo Credit:  http://rural-ruin.livejournal.com/837076.html

Lilac Bushes:  Photo Credit:  http://www.athomeinwyoming.com/at_home_in_wyoming/viewpoint/

Tulips and Grape Hyacinth:  Photo Credit:  http://www.123rf.com/photo_4539438_detail-of-a-beautiful-castle-garden-with-tulips-and-muscari-flowers.html

Urban Tulip Garden:   Photo credit: Noppadon via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-SA

Different Flower Bulbs:  Photo Credit:  https://www.lovethegarden.com/advice/gardening/flowers-shrubs/planting-bulbs-corms-tubers

Bulb Depth Guide 4:  Photo Credit:  http://www.blessthismessplease.com/2015/04/10-ways-to-make-spring-magical-for-kids.html

Tulips:  Photo Credit:  http://countrystore.net/fall-bulbs-spring-flowers/

Hole for Bulbs:  Photo Credit:  http://www.newagegarden.net/howtofallbulbs/

Measure Hole Depth:  Photo Credit:  https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/Planting-Tips-for-Fall-Planted-Bulbs

Bulbs in Holes:  Photo Credit:  http://www.rochestergardening.com/bulbs/spring3p.html

Past Prime:  Photo Credit:  http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2013/03/forced-bulbs-what-to-keep-what-to-toss/

Potted Bulbs:  Photo Credit:  http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/bulb-planting

Bulb Show:   Photo Credit:  Smith College 2010 Spring Bulb Show by Foroyar22 via Attribution Engine. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA.