For many gardeners, fall means putting the garden to rest over winter. But there's one task that’s guaranteed to make those cold months go by easier: planting flower bulbs for spring. Now is the time to plant snowdrops, bluebells, and an entire assortment of tulips and daffodils, ready to burst into color when the weather warms up again.

This guide will provide essential tips on selecting and planting spring bulbs, and how to ensure they survive the winter to provide a lush display come spring.

Quick note: you will find these flowers sold as either bulbs, corms, tubers, or rhizomes. To keep things simple, I will refer to them as just bulbs throughout the article. 

Which Flower Bulbs Can You Plant in the Fall?

Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are the most popular spring-flowering bulbs for autumn planting. However, there’s a wide variety of species, colors, and shapes to consider, especially if you want a flower garden lasting well into early summer. Here are some excellent picks, starting with the classics:

•  Tulip
•  Daffodil (Narcissus)
•  Hyacinth
•  Grape hyacinth (Muscari)
•  Crocus
•  Bluebell
•  Snowdrops
•  Spring snowflake (Leucojum)
•  Winter aconite (Eranthis)
•  Anemone
•  Fritillaria
•  Camassia
•  Allium
•  Iris
•  Freesia
•  Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
•  Cyclamen
•  Lilly
•  Trout lily
•  Spring starflower (Ipheion uniflorum)
•  Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum)
•  Squill (Scilla) 

These delicate white crocus in a terra cotta pot offer some of the earliest spring blooms in the garden.

Why Plant Spring Bulbs in the Fall?

Many plants need a period of dormancy during winter to grow and bloom the next year. This applies to flowering bulbs and even edible ones, like garlic and onion. You can try planting fall bulbs in the spring, but the plants will struggle, and flowering will be erratic. 

Autumn is prime time to lay the groundwork for a spring spectacle. Read my recommendations for five fall tasks you can do now to prep for spring.

Tips for Buying and Storing Spring Bulbs

•  Always buy bulbs from reputable sellers. This ensures that the bulbs are high quality, and reduces the risk of introducing diseases such as tulip fire (Botrytis) or bulb eelworm to your garden.
•  Whenever possible, buy loose bulbs, and buy them in person. This will allow you to handpick the best ones. Avoid buying bulbs that feel dry, soft, mushy, or that have visible signs of mold.
•  Snowdrops, leucojum, winter aconite, and fritillary bulbs have a short shelf life because they dry out quickly. Buy them as soon as you see them in stores, then plant them within days.
•  Store bulbs in a paper or mesh bag, in a dark, dry, well-ventilated space. Avoid keeping them next to any fruit and veg that produces ethylene, such as bananas, potatoes, or apples.
  
  

Planting Bulbs in the Soil

You can start planting spring bulbs from September all through November, and even early winter in milder climates. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Location

Spring flowering bulbs can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Many of these plants, including cyclamen, bluebells, and snowdrops, are native to woodlands, where they naturally grow in dappled light.

The only exceptions are tulips, alliums, and rhizomatous irises, which prefer at least 8 hours of sun per day to produce the best flowers. 

Soil

Always plant bulbs in well-draining soil. If your bulbs are overwintering in heavy soil, or in a part of your garden that is constantly wet, they will rot in the ground. Dig in plenty of compost or leaf mould into the soil before planting, to ensure adequate drainage.

Bulb Planting Depth and Spacing

Bulb planting requirements vary depending on the plant. Most bulbs, including tulips, daffodils, and ornamental alliums, should be planted at a depth 2-3 times the size of the bulb, and at least twice the bulb width apart.

For best results, check the depth and spacing requirements on the label. Most importantly, make sure to plant the bulbs with the pointed ends facing up, and the root ends facing down.

Mulch

Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch after planting your bulbs. This will protect them from freezing in the ground and will prevent them from drying out. Wood chips, bark, dried leaves, straw, and compost are all excellent mulch options.  

Planting Bulbs for Naturalizing

Naturalizing bulbs is the practice of planting and then leaving them in the ground to multiply after they finish flowering. It’s an excellent choice for parts of your garden that get partial shade, and can also be used for grassy areas. In time, this will create drifts of flowers that will give your garden a naturalistic look.

Best spring bulbs for naturalizing include crocus, fritillary, camassia, grape hyacinth, cyclamen, and single daffodils.

Most tulips are difficult to naturalize, but here are some species that will yield good results:

•  Wild tulip (Tulipa sylvestris)
•  Rock tulip (Tulipa saxatilis)
•  Sprenger tulip
•  Flax-leaved tulip
•  Tulipa clusiana cultivars such as Lady Jane, Cynthia, and Peppermint Stick. 
  
  

Planting Bulbs in Pots

Pots and containers are a great choice for patios and balconies, or gardens with heavy soil that gets waterlogged in winter. You can use them for any type of spring bulbs, but tulips work particularly well, as they benefit from digging up and replacing each year.

To plant your bulbs, pick a pot with drainage holes at the bottom, and fill it with a mix of two parts compost and one part grit. Plant your bulbs at the right depth, depending on the species, then water them thoroughly. Keep the pot in a well-lit, frost-free spot, and monitor the soil to prevent it from drying out completely.

Planting in pots also allows you to get creative and make a bulb lasagna. This technique involves planting bulbs in layers, creating a succession of flowers that will create a longer-lasting display.

Use a mix of early, mid-season, and late-season bulbs layered in a pot to extend and maximize your spring bloom cycle.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Pick a pot that’s at least 7 inches deep. The deeper the pot, the more layers you can add.
2. Fill ⅓ with compost, then place a layer of late-flowering bulbs, like tulips, alliums, or lilies.
3. Cover with two inches of soil, then add a layer of mid-spring flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, mid-season tulips, hyacinths, muscari, and fritillary.
4. Add another two inches of soil, then plant the last layer of early-flowering bulbs: crocus, snowdrops, anemones, and early daffodils.
5. Add the final layer of soil, then water the pot thoroughly.
   
   

Maintenance and Common Problems

Overwintering bulbs don’t require much care, but here are a few things you may need to stay on top of.

Watering

Give your bulbs a good watering after planting, to help settle the soil around them. Once planted, your bulbs won’t need any extra water until they sprout, and only if you’ve had no rain for more than a week. Bulbs in pots dry out quicker, so check them regularly and give them a soak whenever the soil feels dry. 

Bulb rot

Bulb rot can occur if your bulbs are sitting in cool, damp soil for a long period. You can prevent that by planting them in well-draining soil or potting mix and avoiding overwatering bulbs in containers. 

Squirrels

Squirrels digging up bulbs is a common issue in most gardens, especially in winter. The best way to deal with them is using chicken wire. Lay it flat on the ground after planting your bulbs, and use garden staples or pegs to secure it in place. The bulbs will have no trouble growing through the wire mesh, and this will also prevent other animals from digging, including cats, foxes, or chipmunks.

Conclusion

Few things can warm a gardener's heart like the sight of spring flowers coming up through the snow after a long winter. So treat yourself to a burst of color by planting your favorite bulbs this fall.

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