As autumn sweeps in with its warm palette of amber, gold, orange, red, and fading greens, much of your flower garden may be winding down, with plants turning brown and blossoms few and far between as your perennial plants are preparing for dormancy and your annual plants have, or will soon, breathe their last gasp for the current season.
Though fall may not be your favorite season, we are here to change your mind! Fall brings a special opportunity for gardeners—a chance to defy the season’s withering effect, while gracefully saying goodbye to summer.
Fall is the time to plant bulbs that will burst into life when winter is done and spring has arrived. While your garden may look tired now, causing some of you to sink into the depths of fall depression, as the number of daytime sunlight hours also decrease, the activity involved with planning, choosing, and planting bulbs can give your mood a much needed boost, as well as giving you something to look forward to!
The bulbs you plant in autumn will be silently thriving beneath your soil’s surface, preparing for an amazing, colorful, happy resurgence when winter’s grip loosens. There is something that is so satisfying when you see those first green shoots emerge as the soil and the days warm with spring’s rebirth. And now you watch in anticipation daily, as those first tiny shoots continue to grow until…there’s the first bud! Woohoo! And there is still more to come!
Why Plant Bulbs in the Fall?
Planting bulbs in the fall is like a gardener’s slap in the face to winter—an act of rebellious optimism in the face of the season’s decline. Though your garden is turning brown and many of your plants are going dormant or dying back, the bulbs you plant now are getting a head start for next spring.
The cool, fall, soil temperatures allow bulbs to establish strong roots before winter sets in, ensuring an explosion of color in spring. Bulbs are often the first spring plants to show signs of life; spring’s warmer temperatures are the alarm clock that wakes every living thing up, including your garden plants. Birds are singing and building nests, squirrels are playing tag in the trees, calves and foals are being born in the fields, and everything is turning green! Yay!
Choosing the Right Bulbs
Quality is key when selecting bulbs:
- Inspect Carefully: Choose firm, plump bulbs free from cuts, bruises, or mold. Most flower companies sell their bulbs with a “best by” date. Do not select bulbs more than a year old.
- Know Your Varieties: Research specific varieties or species and then plan ahead based upon your favorite colors and the bloom time and length of time the blossoms will flower. This will ensure blossoms throughout the entire growing season.
- Consider Climate: Only choose those bulb plants that are suited to your USDA Hardiness Zone for optimal growth. In warmer zones (8-10), certain bulbs like tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths may require pre-chilling for 6-8 weeks to mimic the cold conditions they need to bloom. Follow the instructions included with your bulb purchase; if instructions are not handy, research online. There is a plethora of valuable information and insights online.
Popular Spring-Blooming Bulbs
Tulips (Tulipa spp.)—are one of the first to appear and to bloom once spring arrives but are also one of the first to quit blooming. Tulip blooms only last 7 to 10 days, though their foliage is quite attractive and is a good filler in gardens as other plants begin to bloom. There are in excess of 3000 varieties worldwide, so it may be hard to choose. Tulip flowers are edible and it is said that each color has a specific meaning. Tulips are part of the lily family, as are onions, asparagus, and garlic. Choose colors and forms that make you happy!
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)—Yes, Daffodil and Narcissus plants are the same thing! Daffodil is the common name, while Narcissus is the botanical name. With these bulbs, size matters. The bulbs are graded and measured in centimeters around the widest part of the bulb. The larger bulbs will produce more stems and blossoms than the smaller bulbs. Daffodils multiply easily; each year there will be more! They are not picky about their soil and are highly adaptive, except to a soggy environment. You can divide to keep them in check or let them grow freely where they may.
Crocuses (Crocus spp.)—Crocuses are the blossoms you will see peeking out from the snow as it melts. Crocuses are the harbinger of spring—a good thing! They are low-growing, five-petalled, have bright yellow centers, and are available in cheerful lavender, purple, yellow, white, and true-blue hues. Crocuses actually grow from corms, just like the Iris. Corms look similar to bulbs but are actually a modified stem that serves as a storage vessel for next year’s nutrients. However, you plant them just like bulbs.
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis)—are one of the most fragrant of bulb plants. Their perfume will vary, depending upon the variety, their scent being described as spicy, with hints of chocolate or green and florally. Jasmine and honey seem to be the base notes in all varieties of Hyacinths. Planting them en masse, of course, will intensify that fragrance, so plant plenty, which will also allow you to fill your vases and your home with that wonderful color and delicious cologne.
Alliums (Allium spp.)—Allium is actually an ornamental onion, relative to the cultivated onion, scallion, leek, and chive. Its most identifying feature is its globe-shaped blossom, which is a beautifully structured orb of miniature, 6-petalled, star-shaped flowers. Deer resistant and cold and drought-tolerant, Allium is one of the most unique, eye-catching bulb plants. You can choose from true-blue, purply-hues, and white, some of which have each tiny blossom decorated with a petite purple eye. We recommend that you at least plant them in groups of 3 or more…the more the better!
When to Plant
Timing depends upon your climate zone. Below are the recommended planting times for fall bulbs:
- Zones 4-5: September to early October
- Zones 6-7: October to early November
- Zones 8-9: November to early December
- Zone 10: Late December to early January (Pre-chill bulbs like tulips for 6-8 weeks prior to planting)
How to Plant Your Bulbs
- Select the Perfect Spot: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
- Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 8 inches, removing weeds and rocks. Amend the soil with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility.
- Dig the Holes: Plant bulbs at a depth three times their height (approximately 6-8 inches for larger bulbs like Tulips and Daffodils; smaller bulbs like Crocuses may only need to be planted 3-4 inches deep).
- Spacing: Place bulbs pointed end up, spacing them 4-6 inches apart.
- Add Fertilizer: We recommend Super Triple Phosphate, a high-phosphorus fertilizer (0-45-0 NPK) to promote robust root development.
Fertilizer Application:
- Quantity: Sprinkle about 1 to 2 teaspoons of Super Triple Phosphate into the bottom of each planting hole.
- Mix Thoroughly: Blend the fertilizer into the soil at the bottom of the hole to distribute it evenly, scraping soil from the sides, if necessary, to provide an inch or more of loose soil at the bottom of the hole.
- Avoid Direct Contact: Cover the fertilized soil with a thin layer of unfertilized soil to prevent direct contact with the bulb, which can cause burning.
- Place the Bulb: Gently set the bulb on top of the soil layer, pointed end up.
- Cover and Water: Backfill with soil, tamp down lightly, and water thoroughly to settle the soil. After the initial watering, avoid watering again unless there’s an extended dry period, as too much moisture can cause rot during dormancy.
- Mulch: In colder regions, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch after the first frost to insulate the bulbs. In warmer climates, mulch helps conserve moisture and protects bulbs from temperature fluctuations.
Design Tips for a Stunning Display
- Group Planting: Plant bulbs in clusters of at least 10-15 for a natural look and greater visual impact.
- Mix ‘em Up: Plant bulbs with different blooming times intermixed within the same area for successive blooming throughout the season.
- Color Combinations: Pair complementary colors for striking contrasts (e.g., purple hyacinths with yellow daffodils). You may want to consider contrasting colors of the same variety, planted in groupings, for maximum visual impact.
- Companion Plants: Combine bulbs with perennial plants or groundcovers that bloom at different times to extend your garden’s optical interest.
Care and Maintenance
- Watering: After the initial watering, limit moisture to prevent rot until the first shoots appear in the spring.
- Post-Bloom Care:
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to direct energy back to the bulb.
- Foliage: Allow leaves to yellow and die back naturally; they photosynthesize to recharge the bulb for next season’s growth.
- Post-Bloom Fertilization: Once each years blooming period ends, apply a balanced fertilizer to replenish nutrients and strengthen the bulbs for next year.
Summer Care:
In warmer climates, consider lifting and storing bulbs, like Tulips, in a cool, dry place over the summer and then pre-cool bulbs that require it, before planting again in the fall. Alternatively, you can treat them as annuals and replant each fall, again precooling those that need it.
Additional Pro Tips
- Pest Prevention: Protect bulbs from digging critters like squirrels and voles by using wire mesh or sprinkling deterrents around over and around your bulbs, like crushed gravel.
- Container Planting: Bulbs can thrive in pots—ensure adequate drainage and follow the same depth guidelines. Use containers that are at least 12 inches deep for larger bulbs.
- Soil Testing: Consider testing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels to tailor your fertilization approach. Some bulbs, like Tulips, prefer slightly alkaline soil, while others may thrive in neutral or slightly acidic conditions. These testers are relatively inexpensive and well worth the cost.
- Eco-Responsibility: Use phosphorus responsibly to minimize the risk of leaching into waterways. Apply only as needed and avoid over-application.
Embrace the Promise of Spring
As you tuck these little promises of spring into the cooling earth, remember that you’re not just planting bulbs – you’re planting hope. While the world around you may be winding down, you’re already setting the stage for next year’s rebirth. This act of faith in the cycle of seasons is just one of the aspects of gardening that makes it so rewarding and a totally satisfying life-affirming hobby.
So, embrace this autumnal task with enthusiasm. As the world turns brown, you’ll know that beneath the surface, a colorful spring spectacle is already in the making.
Reputable and Reliable Bulb Sources:
ADR Bulbs Inc.
A wholesale supplier of high-quality flower bulbs sourced from Dutch growers.
Website: adrbulbs.com
Dutch Grown
Known for high-quality bulbs sourced directly from Holland.
Website: dutchgrown.com
Van Engelen
Wholesale supplier with a wide range of bulbs for large-scale planting.
Website: vanengelen.com
Blumenzwiebeln Versand
A German-based company with a wide selection of European bulbs available for shipping to the U.S.
Website: blumenzwiebelnversand.de
Old House Gardens
Specializes in heirloom bulbs, offering rare varieties with historical significance.
Website: oldhousegardens.com
