How to Plant Bulbs in Fall for an Unforgettable Spring Garden

Looking for ways to get early spring color in the garden? Learn how to plant bulbs in the fall with these simple tips.

After a long, cold winter there is nothing quite like seeing early spring blooms emerge from the ground.

It’s exciting to see them start to grow. And even better to watch them bloom. They bring great joy after a long cold winter.

Without planting bulbs, the garden will stay dull and dreary until spring nursery stock is available.

If you want a garden that’s always and bloom, plant bulbs in the fall to get early spring color.

There are lots of beautiful spring flowering bulbs to choose from too.

And today, I’m going to show you how to plant bulbs in the fall for an unforgettable display of spring garden flowers.

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About Planting Bulbs in the Fall

Spring flowering bulbs are a type of plant that produces vibrant and colorful blooms during the spring season.

Unlike typical plants that grow from seeds, these bulbs store all the nutrients and energy they need to produce flowers within themselves. This enables them to lay dormant through the winter months and then burst into growth as the weather warms up in spring.

Some common examples of spring flowering bulbs include tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, and snowdrops.

Planting spring flowering bulbs in the fall might seem counterintuitive, as most people associate planting with the warmer seasons.

However, there are specific reasons why fall is the ideal time to plant these bulbs:

• Root Development: By planting bulbs in the fall, you give them several months to develop strong root systems before the onset of winter. This root growth anchors the bulbs and helps them establish a stable foundation for the following spring’s growth.
• Cold Dormancy: Spring flowering bulbs require a period of cold dormancy to trigger their flowering process. Planting them in the fall allows them to experience the necessary cold temperatures during winter, which is essential for their flowering cycle.
• Protection from Extreme Weather: Planted in the fall, the bulbs are covered by the soil and insulated from extreme temperature fluctuations and harsh weather conditions, ensuring their survival through the winter.
• Avoiding Competition: When planted in the fall, bulbs have a head start before the more spring and summer plants grow. This allows them to receive ample sunlight, water, and nutrients before other plants start growing and potentially shading or competing with them.
• Efficiency: Planting bulbs in the fall is often more efficient than planting seeds in the spring. With bulbs, you’re essentially pre-packaging the plant’s energy and nutrients, which jumpstarts the growth process once the conditions are right.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Spring flowering bulbs add a burst of color and beauty to your garden just as the winter blues begin to fade. By planning ahead and planting in the fall, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking display of flowers in the spring.

Planting Bulbs in Fall FAQs

There are some common questions about planting spring-flowering bulbs during the autumn months. So today, I’m sharing topics ranging from the best time to plant bulbs to the specific care they require.

This comprehensive resource will equip you with the knowledge needed to create a vibrant and enchanting garden that bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors as spring awakens.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your horticultural journey, these FAQs will provide valuable insights to ensure your fall bulb planting endeavors yield stunning results next spring.

How Deep Should I Plant Bulbs in the Fall?

In general, plant bulbs 3x the size of the bulb.

So larger bulbs will get planted roughly 6-8″ deep. While smaller bulbs will be planted around 4-5″ deep.

While these figures are a general guide, always consult the plant tag that the bulbs arrived in. The grower knows best how to plant and grow their bulbs.

So follow the grower’s recommendations for planting and care.

Should I Soak Fall Bulbs Before Planting?

No, it is not necessary to soak fall bulbs before planting the outside.

There is a notion to pre-soak roots located at the base of the bulb before planting. However, it is not needed when planting outdoors because there should be sufficient soil moisture in the ground.

Simply open the bag they arrive in and start planting!

Do You Water Bulbs After Planting in Fall?

Yes, it is a good idea to water the bulbs well after planting them in fall to give them a good start in the garden.

What Kind of Bulbs Can Be Planted in Fall?

There are lots of great options of bulbs that can be planted in fall for beautiful spring garden flowers.

Here are a few that I enjoy growing.

• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Crocus
• Hyacinths
• Grape Hyacinths
• Fritillaria
• Alliums
• Anemones

What Happens If You Plant a Bulb Upside Down?

While it will still grow, planting it upside down will stress out the plant. And because it gets stressed, could die.

And we don’t want that!

So the best way to know whether you are planting a bulb correctly is to look for the roots which is usually found at the wide base. And the pointed tip should be upright.

How to Plant Bulbs in the Fall for an Unforgettable Spring Garden

Although the gardening season is coming to a close, now is a great time to plant bulbs for beautiful spring flowers.

Spring-flowering bulbs need to be planted in fall so they have time to develop a good root system before winter.

It is best to wait until soil temps are below 60 degrees F before planting. So depending on where you live, the best time to plant is generally in mid-September or October.

I live in hardiness zone 6a, so I typically wait until the end of October to plant when temps are more consistently cool.

Supplies Needed

The best part of about planting bulbs in the fall is shopping for it of course.

While you can pick up spring flowering bulbs to plant in fall from a local nursery or big box store, you can find lots of different varieties online from other growers.

But the trick is, you’ll be shopping for them in the winter. So get on the grower’s email list so you know as soon as they go on sale.

Here are some of my favorites.

• Johnny’s Seeds
• Floret Flower Farm
• White Flower Farm

And here’s a list of supplies that you need to plant bulbs in the fall.

• Shovel or hand trowel
• Bulbs
• Bulb Fertilizer
• Garden Soil
• Organic Matter like Peat Moss

Directions For Planting Bulbs in the Fall

1. When shopping, look for bulbs that are large, firm, and have good color.
2. Choose a site in your yard that has good drainage and receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
3. Before planting bulbs, place them in the garden to plan their design.
4. Dig holes to the recommended depth. I prefer to dig larger holes and plant in groupings of odd numbers than to dig individual holes for each bulb. Planting 100s of bulbs goes much faster this way too!
5. Plant bulbs upright with the pointed ends up and root side down at the recommended depth (see plant tag for how deep to plant bulbs). But as a general rule, plant bulbs three times as deep as the bulb’s greatest dimension.
6. Before backfilling the hole, add organic matter like peat moss to add drainage and help enrich the soil.
7. Mix in a special bulb fertilizer. Avoid using bone meal if rodents, skunks, or other small mammals are an issue. Bone meal attracts them.
8. Backfill the holes.

Because deer tend to leave daffodils alone, I’m planting 100s of them this fall! And this year, I am choosing a few different varieties to enjoy in my spring garden.

This is the top part of a daffodil bulb where the flower grows. Keep this end up when planting. Because that is where the flower will emerge.

This is the bottom of the bulbs where the roots grow. Place this end down when planting.

Place bulbs where you want to plant them to get an idea of how they will look. You can plant them in individual holes or group them together.

I prefer groupings because it is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye when they flower and a little easier to plant.

Read the plant label before planting. Dig the hole according to the label’s directions.

Plant bulbs, fertilize, and then backfill. I also like to backfill with some fresh garden soil and soil amendments like peat moss that help with drainage.

When plants emerge in spring, fertilize lightly with bulb fertilizer at least two inches from the plant.

Spring-Flowering Bulb Tip: When the flower petals fade, remove the flower parts and stem before the plant goes to seed.

Don’t cut leaves back until they turn yellow though. This allows the bulb to store more energy for next year’s flower production.

Design Tip: Bulb foliage that is dying back can be hidden by planting bulbs in between perennials and annuals.

The benefit of planting bulbs this way will provide color while perennials emerge and are camouflaged by perennials while they die back.

Some of My Favorite Spring-Flowering Bulbs

• crocus
• hyacinth
• daffodils
• tulips
• alliums

Tip to Protect Tulips and Other Early Spring Flowers from Deer Damage

While most of the above list is deer resistant, deer LOVE to eat tulips.

We get herds of deer in my yard every year, all season long and they will decimate my tulips if I don’t protect them.

I protect them using this deer spray repellent. It is very effective if you are aggressive with the application.

• As soon as bulbs emerge, spray them heavily with repellent.
• When the bulbs grow a few inches from the ground, douse it again with repellent.
• Apply repellent again when the tulip heads form.
• When the tulip starts to bloom, douse them again.

If you want to mix up the deer repellent you use, I reviewed several in this post.

And while we are on the subject of tulips, this is my favorite tulip. I’m purchasing them this year to plant in my garden – I love how colorful they are!

Click here for more tips to deter deer from eating your garden plants and flowers.

And after all that hard work, your spring garden flowers lack or fail to bloom, click here to troubleshoot the cause and how to fix it.

More About Planting Bulbs in Fall

Are you planting spring flowering bulbs this fall? What varieties do you plan to grow? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

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Looking for More Flower Garden Ideas?

If you love flowers and want to grow more in your garden, here are some posts that will get you on your way.

From tucking in flowering plants that are deer-resistant or ones that attract more butterflies and hummingbirds, to shade-loving flowers like the lenten rose, these posts will get you on your way to growing a garden that will bring joy for years to come.

Here are more cut flower and cottage garden growing tips, tricks, and design inspiration.

• 5 Quick Ways to Grow a Cottage Garden
• Easy-Care Cottage Garden Ideas
• Flower Garden Ideas for the Front Porch
• Why and How to Divide Perennials
• Perennials vs Annuals
• Flowers that Bloom in Midsummer
• How My Cottage Garden Grew in 2021
• Cut Flower Gardening for Beginners
• The Complete Guide to Roses Care
• The Basics of Hydrangea Care
• Everblooming Cottage Garden Design Ideas
• The Secret to Growing an Everblooming Cottage Garden

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

• I like to use a good-quality garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
• I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
• Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use to get underneath roots, loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
• But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
• I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
• You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
• Where pest and disease problems are concerned, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue.
• This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
• Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.

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