How to Plant Bulbs in the Fall

Bulbs are a great way to add dramatic impact to your garden. However, they require some preparation and forethought months before they even bloom. Here is everything you need to know about planting bulbs in the fall.

Few things add more pizzaz to a spring garden than the emergence of a swathe of brightly colored bulbs. Their appearance is almost an act of defiance to those cold gray winter months. Bulbs are generally quite forgiving of even the most careless of gardeners, and their appearance can give impact to the blandest of gardens.

However, unlike bedding plants, bulbs require a little extra forethought and preparation. Though bulbs bloom in the spring, they must be planted in the fall. This requires you to develop a plan and start prepping your garden months before you see any results.

Below is everything you need to know about planting bulbs in the fall. You will learn why fall planting is essential, how to plant bulbs properly, and potential problems that may arise.

Why You Should Plant Bulbs in Fall

So why should you plant bulbs in the fall? Wouldn’t it be easier to plant them in the spring, just before they bloom? Bulbs are unique in that they require cool temperatures to start the biochemical process that is in charge of flowering. Without exposure to cool temperatures, bulbs simply will not bloom.

It is best to plant bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. At this point, the soil is cool enough to start the biochemical processes but is not so cold that it is difficult to plant. Some bulbs will do better if planted at the beginning of the season, while others will do better if planted right before frost. Do some research on your bulbs to make sure you plant them at the perfect time.

If you forget to plant in the fall, it doesn’t hurt to try later in the winter or early spring. However, your bulbs are less likely to bloom if planted late.

If you live in a warmer climate, you may need to pre-chill your bulbs in your refrigerator. Make sure to plant them during the coldest season of the year.

Purchasing Bulbs

Today, bulbs come in an enormous variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. It is easy to get a little overexcited when you arrive at a garden center and are exposed to hundreds of bulb varieties. Here are a few tips to prevent you from blowing your budget.

1. Have a Plan in Mind

Before you even head for the garden center, do a walkthrough of your garden and work out where bulbs would be appropriate and where they would offer the most impact.

2. Know Your Color Scheme

You may be tempted to chase the latest fad or buy bulbs in every color. At best, the result is you have a garden that doesn’t suit your personality or complement your other plants. At worst, you have a mismatched multicolored mess. Some people love that multi-colored effect and can organize it quite well, but in general, a scheme with just a few complementary colors packs the most punch.

3. Expensive Isn't Always Best

Just because something is more expensive does not mean it is the best option for your garden. For the same amount of money, you can buy one or two expensive bulbs or a bunch of cheaper, but just as good, regular bulbs. One or two bulbs will look out of place in your garden, but a group of bulbs will offer more impact.

Furthermore, spending less sometimes results in a better product. For example, cheaper bulbs are often much hardier than expensive bulbs. The bulbs may also offer colors and shapes that better complement other plants in your garden. Therefore, don’t dismiss something just because it’s cheap.

Tips for Planting Bulbs

Now that you’ve come up with a plan and chose your bulbs, it’s time to get to work! Though planting bulbs is fairly straightforward, here are a few tips to help you with the process.

Loosen the soil and mix in some compost or organic matter before planting.
Plant bulbs at a depth of two and a half to three times their height.
Plant bulbs twice as far apart as the width of the bulb.
Ensure that the base of the bulb (where the roots grow) is in contact with the soil by giving it a quarter turn as you place it in its hole.
Plant groups of bulbs together instead of just one or two here and there. This adds more impact to your garden.
Invest in a bulb planter that cuts out a perfect circle of soil. However, a trowel will do fine if you don't plant bulbs often.
Lightly water the bulbs after planting.
Add labels so you don't forget where you planted them.

Think Outside the Box

We are all accustomed to seeing drifts of daffodils or tulips in spring gardens, but bulbs can be used in other ways. One of these is to layer a pot with different types of bulbs so that they can grow on a patio or terrace.

First, find a nice deep pot that can fit multiple bulbs. Lay in 8 in (20 cm) of potting soil and then plant your larger bulbs at the bottom. Next, cover them with soil and then plant another layer of medium-sized bulbs on top of that. Finally, add a third layer of even smaller bulbs and cover those. The results can be breathtaking.

Not all bulbs need to remain outdoors to have an impact. Hyacinths and paperwhite daffodils can be brought into the house just before flowering. Many bulbs will flourish on a windowsill or bright shelf, so do some research to explore other indoor possibilities.

Potential Problems and Cautions

In the vast majority of cases, your bulbs will be trouble-free. Once planted, all you need to do is keep the area weed-free and wait for the explosion of color. However, there are a few things that you may need to take into consideration.

1. Squirrels

Squirrels are even more fond of bulbs than gardeners are. They love to dig up and destroy the bulbs that you worked so hard to plant and cultivate. However, there are a few methods that will prevent squirrels from destroying your bulb garden.

The first is to pa layer of fine chicken wire over the bulbs but just beneath the soil surface so that they cannot be dug up. The second is to grate some soap into the soil as you bury the bulbs. The smell confuses the culprits, and the taste puts them off.

2. Rot

Sometimes bulbs can rot prior to planting. Whether you are just purchasing new bulbs or are replanting bulbs you lifted the previous season, always examine them carefully before planting. They should be firm and blemish-free.

3. Improper Location

Improper location can kill your bulbs come springtime. For example, shade-loving bulbs planted in the open may find the position too bright. Likewise, sun-lovers planted beneath a tree will find themselves in deep shade come the spring.

One of the reasons that gardeners fail to make greater use of bulbs is that it requires some planning. Unlike bedding plants which you see, purchase, and pop into the ground, bulbs require you to envision the impact months in advance. However, with a bit of prep and planning, you can have a bulb garden that is dramatic and impactful.