How to Plant Flower Bulbs in the Spring

Flower bulbs planted in the spring, bloom over the summer.

Fall is the best time to plant hardy spring flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Hardy bulbs can survive cold winters, preparing for spring blooming as they rest inside the frozen earth. Tender flower bulbs--like those for gladiolas, cannas, and some lilies--cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and will die if left in the ground over the winter. For this reason, spring planting is preferred. Flower bulbs planted in the spring will bloom in summer and fall.

Things You'll Need

• Pitchfork
• Compost
• Hand shovel
• Soaker hose
• Fertilizer
• Scissors
• Lawn Mower
• Newspaper
• Paper or mesh bag
• Marker

Instructions

1. Prepare the soil for spring planting as soon as it is workable. Break the soil up using a pitchfork to a depth of 18 inches. Mix in a 4-inch layer of compost for added nourishment.

2. Dig holes for the flower bulbs according to the depth listed on the packaging label using a small hand shovel. A rule of thumb for bulb planting is to plant the flower bulbs three times as deep as their height.

3. Deposit the bulbs in the soil, pointed end up. Backfill the holes after planting the flower bulbs and pat the soil overtop to release air pockets. Use a soaker hose to water the bulbs deeply after planting.

4. Water the flower bulbs weekly, at a rate of 1 inch of water per week. Dry weather may call for twice a week waterings to keep the soil moist to the 1-inch depth.

5. Fertilize the soil after planting the bulbs using a 10-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer. Check the label instructions and follow application recommendations.

6. Allow the foliage to die back on its own after the flowers bloom. During the die-back process the foliage absorbs energy from the sun and stores it in the bulb. Foliage will turn from green to yellow, then brown when the process is over.

7. Cut the foliage down to the soil line after die back using a pair of scissors or a lawn mower. Dig up the flower bulbs and soak them for an hour in lukewarm water to remove the dirt, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

8. Lay the flower bulbs on a sheet of newspaper to dry for one to three days in a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Store the dry flower bulbs in a paper or mesh bag until the following spring. Choose a cool, dry place to store the bulbs.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a marker to label the bag with the date and type of bulbs, prior to storage.

• Do not overwater the flower bulbs. Standing water can cause the flower bulbs to rot. If the soil feels moist at a 1-inch depth, do not add more water with the soaker.

• Do not add fertilizer to the planting holes because it can burn the bulbs.

• Do not fertilize the bulbs after the blooming process. Fertilizing after blooming will interfere with dormancy.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Bulb Planting and Care
• Washington State University Cooperative Extension: Planting and Care of Tender Bulbs Dahlias, Lilies, and Gladiolus
• Clemson University Extension: Summer- & Fall-Flowering Bulbs

Resources

• University of Minnesota Extension: Storing Tender Bulbs and Bulblike Structures