How to Plant Fall Bulbs

There is nothing more beautiful than the brilliant colors of spring flowers. Flowers grown from bulbs are no exception. The purples of crocuses, the bright yellows of daffodils and the myriad of tulip colors awaken spring. Planting the bulbs in the fall will bring forth the burst of colors in the spring. It is not difficult, but there is a strategy to make the most of spring colors. Choosing the right spot, choosing the best bulb and planting the bulbs correctly are all you need to enjoy their blooms.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flower bulbs
• Trowel or bulb planter
• Water
• Bulb food

How to Plant Fall Bulbs

1. Choose the perfect spot for your flowers. Because the sun is weaker in the spring, find a spot that will not be shaded from trees or buildings. On the other hand, don't plant bulbs too close to the house. The heat from the house may damage the bulbs. Some woodland bulbs prefer a slightly shaded area. Avoid an area that is not large. Most bulbs multiply through the years. If you have a crowded space, you will have to dig them up and move them in a few years. Choose a place where you can enjoy the flowers. The flowers are short lived, so you don't want to plant them in the backyard if you don't go to the backyard in spring. Check the soil. It should be well drained and have a pH between six and seven.

2. Plant the bulbs after the first frost. Garden centers have bulb planters that are great for getting the correct depth for the bulb. Most large bulbs are planted around eight inches deep and six inches apart, smaller bulbs around five inches deep and three inches apart. Packaging on the bulbs will tell specifically how deep and far apart to plant. If bulbs are bought individually, there is usually a guide in the store for planting. Bulbs do not need fertilizer, but a bulb releasing food is good. Avoid using bone meal because it attracts some animals. Place the bulb with the tip up and replace the soil. Water thoroughly. You may want to mulch the area to help retain water.

3. Choose your bulbs carefully. Avoid dry, withered bulbs or soft spongy bulbs or any with mold. A healthy bulb will be firm and clean. Larger bulbs for a particular flower will produce more flowers. The smaller bulbs such as crocus will generally bloom earlier than the larger bulbs such as tulips, so consider when you want the bulbs to bloom. Consider colors. Tulips look great in a multitude of colors, but they can have a dramatic look when planted in one color or a combination of two colors.

4. Take care of the bulbs in the spring. After the flowers have bloomed, cut back the stalk to ground level. Don't remove the bulb. The plant will now nourish itself for the following year. If you discover that in a few years, your bulbs are not growing as well, consider dividing them. Daffodils and snowdrops should be divided every few years; however, tulips can go longer.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider planting some bulbs indoors for early flowers.
• Plant daffodils and hyacinths first and tulips, crocus, snowdrops and iris later. Plant narcissus and amaryllis last.
• Don't plant the bulbs too early or they will rot. Wait until the first frost.