Fall Bulb Planting

You might feel like the gardening season is winding down, but an excellent fall task is to plant bulbs so they can thrive from winter chilling and get their roots started before spring warmth helps them emerge. Certain spring flowers are called “dormant perennials.” They need the cool, moist autumn soil to awaken them from their dormancy so they can begin growing roots in preparation for the spring show. You can even plant a few vegetable bulbs in the fall that will thrive in the early summer with this extra growing time. This blog covers what you need to know to start your fall bulb planting!

When to Plant Bulbs in the Fall
The best time to plant fall bulbs is when soils are below 15°C in the late fall or about six weeks before a hard frost is expected. This is usually during September and October (Halloween is a reasonable deadline to set).

How to Plant Bulbs in the Fall
Planting bulbs is generally an easy task, but there are some things that you want to get right. Here are tips to keep in mind:

• Bulbs need at least partial sun throughout the spring. They look beautiful growing beneath trees (before the trees leaf out), amidst wildflowers, and mixed with spring annuals in containers.
• Bulbs need a spot with good drainage, or they may rot. Before planting, work a few inches of compost into the soil for nutrients and drainage, especially if you have heavy clay soil. If your soil is sandy, plant bulbs slightly deeper; in clay soils, slightly shallower.
• Plant bulbs with the point facing up! Examine bulbs carefully before placing them in the planting hole, being sure to set them with the roots facing down.
• Consider the bloom time for each bulb (early spring, mid-spring, late spring) and plant bulbs with different bloom times so that you have flowers throughout spring!
• Place shorter bulbs in the front of beds and borders.
• Plant bulbs generously in case some do not sprout (or are devoured by hungry squirrels). Plant them randomly and with varied spacing for a more natural appearance.

Best Bulbs to Plant in the Fall

• Daffodils
• Crocuses
• Snowdrops
• Tulips
• Hyacinths
• Irises
• Alliums (Ornamental Onions)
• Garlic
• Shallot

For more gardening tips, visit your local Feeds’n Needs and chat with one of our Experts!

Check out our other blogs on fall gardening:
Fall Garden Checklist
Seeds for Fall Planting Season

Sources:
Fall Bulbs: Flower Bulbs to Plant in Fall | The Old Farmer’s Almanac
13 Bulbs to Plant in Fall for Spring Crops and Color – Bob Vila