Planting fall bulbs is a good way to have early spring blooms in a flower garden. Here are some tips on how to plant tulip bulbs, hyacinth, and more in a garden.
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This post is all about how to plant fall bulbs.
Have you ever walked by a colorful spring garden and wondered how the gardener managed to get so many flowers to bloom so early in the season? Few things are more welcoming that cheery flowers in spring.
Rather than planting bulbs in spring, sometimes bulbs can be planted in fall to get colorful flower blooms the following spring. Here are some tips on how you can plant fall bulbs for spring blooms in a garden.
As the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change color, it may not seem like the best time to plant things in a garden. But now is the best time to plant fall bulbs to overwinter in the garden in some places. Those bulbs that survive can produce beautiful blooms for a spring garden.
Why You Should Plant Bulbs in Fall
Fall gardening often involves cleaning up what’s left from the summer garden and preparing the garden for winter. But it can also involve planting cold hardy seedlings for plants like arugula and kale, and it often involves planting bulbs for spring flowers.
Some bulbs require a period in the ground to bloom during spring. These bulbs require a cold period to encourage the bulbs to flower in the spring.
Some flower bulbs bloom very early in spring, and it is difficult to plant the bulb early enough in spring—just after thaw when the ground can be worked—to allow the bulb to do what it needs to do to blossom that spring.
If you miss gardening as the weather grows cooler, then planting fall bulbs is a great way to get out in the garden again. If you live in an area with mild winters, then you may be able to extend your growing season by planting cold Hardy varieties of beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, spinach and turnips, in addition to planting flower bulbs and garlic bulbs that overwinter and grow in the spring.
Planting bulbs in the fall is one of the best ways to have a colorful garden in the spring.
Where to Buy Fall Bulbs
Fall-planted bulbs are typically available starting in September. One of the easiest ways to get fall bulbs is to visit a local garden center or to order fall bulbs online. Popular fall bulb varieties can sell out quickly, so it is best to purchase bulbs early. In general, bulbs may be stored in a breathable, cool place with temperatures that range from 40 to 50 degrees. Many gardeners store bulbs in paper bags in the refrigerator, away from fruits and other items that may out gas and ruin the bulbs. Your bulb supplier may provide information on how to store the bulbs until it is time to plant them.
What are Some of the Best Bulbs to Plant in the Fall?
The best bulbs to plant in the fall include familiar plants like daffodils, irises, and tulips. Here is a list of some flower bulbs to plant in fall for early spring and summer blooms.
Amaryllis.
Amaryllis are beautiful flowers commonly known for their popularity around Christmastime and as gifts. The flowers bloom in shades of red, white, and pink. Amaryllis bulbs are often planted from fall through early spring. The plants flower from late winter through spring.
Anemone.
Anemone blooms from late spring to early summer, making it a good companion for tulips and daffodils. The cheerful blue flowers are deer resistant and attract butterflies. Anemone bulbs are usually planted in fall in warmer climates and in spring after frost has passed in colder climates.
Crocus.
Tiny crocus flowers are often one of the first to bloom in a spring garden, sometimes blooming through spring snow. Crocus corms should be planted in the garden 6 to 8 weeks before hard frost.
Daffodil. (Narcissus spp.).
Hardy and reliable, daffodils are one of the best fall bulbs to plant for a spring garden. Different varieties of daffodils produce flowers in shades of yellow, red, pink, orange, green, and while. Daffodils may bloom in full sun to part shade.
Grape hyacinth.
(Muscari armeniacum). Grape hyacinths are not a true hyacinth; they are a member of the lily family. With colorful, tiny flowers and evergreen leaves, grape hyacinths are a popular border plant in some gardens. Grape hyacinth plants have a tendency to self-sow and spread to the extent that they are considered somewhat invasive by some, so only plant grape hyacinth in areas where you don’t mind it growing and spreading over time. Grape hyacinths can also be grown as a container plant.
Hyacinth.
(Hyacinthus orientalis). Hyacinths are one of the most recognizable spring garden plants. These showy plants produce flower spikes that bloom in a variety of colors, including white, pink, lavender, blue, and purple. The colors of the blooms may be effected by the pH of the soil around the plant. Hyacinths often produce their best flowers in full sun, and tend to bloom after other early bloomers like crocus, grape hyacinths, and snowdrops.
Irises.
Hardy and reliable, irises are one of the most well-known plants in a spring flower garden.
Lilies.
Lilies bloom and provide color from spring to summer, making them a popular choice for many spring gardens.
Scilla.
(Scilla spp.) Scilla is a cold hardy plant that often blooms in early spring. Among Scilla, Siberian squill (S. siberica) and wood hyacinths (S. campanulata) are two of the most popular and well-known types. Scilla plants self-sow and spreads rapidly, so only grow it in places where you don’t mind it naturalizing. These are popular plants for planting under shrubs and trees, near streams, and in woodland-like areas of the garden. Scilla are reported to be deer resistant, so may be a good choice for places where you have problems with deer eating the garden.
Snowdrops. (Galanthus).
Snowdrops are a hardy plant that produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers. Planted in fall, snowdrops may appear as early as winter in some places. Poking up through snow and frost, it is often one of the first flowers to appear in spring. Snowdrops grow best in rich, moist soil in areas where there is dappled shade.
Tulips.
Tulips tend to bloom after daffodils and hyacinths, making them a great flower to include in a spring flower bulb lasagna garden.
Can I Plant Fall Bulbs in a Container Garden?
Many of the spring blooming, fall planted bulbs on this last make great bulbs to plant and grow in a container garden.
One of the most popular ways to grow spring flowers from fall planted bulbs is to create a bulb lasagna garden. To do this, flower bulbs are planted in a large container and then overwintered on a patio or other outdoor space.
Often, flower bulbs that bloom at different times are chosen. So a container may contain crocus, hyacinth, and tulip bulbs, for example, because these bulbs are planted at different depths and bloom at different times. In general, tulip and daffodil bulbs are planted more deeply than other fall planted bulbs like crocus and scilla.
Spring blooming flowers can also be planted in separate pots that are grouped together for a grand display of color. Crocus, hyacinth, and tulip plants make great candidates for fall bulb planting in containers.
In cold climates, choose large containers that hold enough soil to insulate the bulbs. You may also want to add a layer of mulch to the pot to add an additional layer of protection for the bulbs.
Growing spring blooming flowers in containers is a great way to beautify and decorate a patio, front porch, or deck.
How to Keep Flowers Blooming Throughout Spring
There are two ways to keep a continuous bloom of flowers throughout spring. The first tip is to plant a variety of fall bulbs that bloom at different times. The second tip is to deadhead spent flowers to encourage the plant to keep producing flowers.
Fertilize flowers throughout the season, especially as the flowers start to bloom. For continuous blooms, plant flowers that bloom at different times in the season throughout the garden.
This post was all about how to plant fall bulbs to get spring garden blooms.
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Credits
- Photos by Philipp Fahlbusch, Camille Cox, and Mariya / Pexels
- Photos are for illustrative purposes only.