How to Successfully Plant Daffodil Bulbs (Even If You're a Beginner)

Daffodils are grown almost everywhere and once they've been planted they often survive for decades or even centuries without much human intervention. But modern hybrid daffodils are a little less forgiving to grow than old fashioned varieties of the past. Don't worry-they are still easy to grow. Even if you're a beginner you can successfully plant daffodils if you'll follow these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Daffodil bulbs,garden spade

1. Plant daffodil bulbs at the proper time for your area. Daffodils need time to develop their roots during the late autumn and winter months. Plant them about the same time the autumn leaves begin to fall in your area. If your soil regularly freezes you should plant them before the first hard frost. If you live in a mild winter area you can wait a little longer.

2. Make sure you give them enough sun. Daffodils need at least half a day of sun in order to grow. They will grow well under deciduous trees. The trees will leaf out after bulbs have become dormant. In hotter climates the flowers will last longer if you give them afternoon shade.

3. Prepare your soil. Daffodils, also known as narcissus, like a sandy loam type of soil. If you have a heavy clay or rocky soil you'll need to loosen it up by spading at least a foot deep. Add coarse sand or clay to aerate a heavy soil. Raised beds are a good idea for clay soil. Daffodils like spring moisture but they won't tolerate standing water.

4. Plant your bulbs at the correct depth. Large daffodils need to be planted at least 6 inches deep. Miniature and species types can be planted 4 inches deep. You can plant a little more shallowly in heavier soils but try to get them as deep in the ground as possible.

5. Feed your bulbs a plant food high in trace minerals. You shouldn't need to fertilize them the first year if you've amended your soil with organic matter. Starting in the fall of the second year, you can feed second year, you can feed them a well balanced organic bulb food.

6. Divide your daffodils every 2-3 years. If you gave each bulb plenty of space this may not be necessary. If you planted them close together they will become crowded and the blooming will be sporadic.

7. Wait for spring and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You've done everything you need to do to successfully plant daffodils. If the weather cooperates you'll be enjoying beautiful daffodil blooms for many springs to come.

Tips & Warnings

• Applying a thick layer of organic mulch such as straw or shredded leaves can protect your daffodil bulbs from being damaged by freezing and thawing cycles in cold winter areas.
• When feeding your bulbs use a fertilizer that is high in potassium and trace minerals. Bone meal is an incomplete plant food that may attract digging animals to your garden.
• Don't plant daffodil bulbs under walnut trees. They have a chemical in their roots that will kill anything planted near them.
• Avoid feeding your bulbs with a high nitrogen fertilizer. The bulbs will produce dark green leaves with few flowers.

Resources

• All About Daffodils Blog
• Growing Daffodils: A Beginner's Guide

[Quickstar]

on 1/4/2009 Spring will be here soon I can feel it:) 5*

[hoolihan0519]

on 12/28/2008 Thanks for the info. Great tips and happy flowering. RCR.

[Butterfli]

on 12/24/2008 This is a great article and I love flowers! Thanks! 5* and a recommendation

[TheWriteGuy]

on 11/23/2008 Great article! Keep up the great work! 5*****

[thesquirrelymom]

on 11/22/2008 I hadn't thought of it before, but I guess I need to divide mine. They were here when I moved in and they always bloom by Valentines Day. Great article, thanks!