Spring flowering bulbs for planting in fall include tulip, narcissus, hyacinth, allium, muscari, and iris

Fall is a season of change. The leaves change and as days get shorter, the weather changes too. But if it’s lush, springtime blossoms you crave, fall is also a time to change your garden. Plant flowering bulbs now for beautiful blossoms when winter turns to spring.

There are many types of flower bulbs to choose from that come in different shapes, sizes and colors such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and many more. You can design your own combination of bulbs and colors. To achieve your statement garden you will need to plan ahead and plant in fall for spring blooms.

How to Plant

Planting flowering bulbs couldn’t be simpler. In fact, it hardly deserves more explanation than Dig-Drop-Done! Just be sure to reference your bulb package or tear tabs for directions that are specific to the bulbs you have chosen. It will tell you how deep to plant and the sunlight requirements.

• Dig – A good rule of thumb is to dig three times the height of your bulb. This is true whether you’re planting in pots or out in the garden. Make sure to plant in an area with good drainage and if you are using a pot be sure it has a drainage hole.
• Drop – Place your bulb in the soil, pointy side up. Cover with soil then give them a good dose of water for a head start.
• Done – A gorgeous garden couldn’t be simpler. Just let Mother Nature take over.

There isn’t a fourth step to Dig-Drop-Done, but a little love never hurts.

• Mother Nature won’t need much help when it comes to keeping your bulbs hydrated. But if the weather won’t cooperate, give your bulbs an occasional drink.
• If you plant in pots, make sure your container has drainage holes in the bottom and cover the holes with a layer of large pebbles to keep them from clogging. Some folks have had success using a coffee filter laid out to cover the drainage holes.
• If you are expecting a hard freeze and have planted in pots, wrap your containers with bubble wrap or place them in a cool, frost-free place such as the garage.
• The spacing of bulbs depends largely on the effect you are trying to achieve. For best results plant in large groups rather than single rows.
• Freezing temperatures can crack terra cotta pots and ornamental planters. By first planting bulbs in plastic pots then placing this pot inside the earthen one, you’ll create a natural insulation between the two.

Planting a bountiful container

• Add a layer of soil to the bottom of your pot.
• The first layer of bulbs to plant will be those that flower last such as tulips.
• Once these are in place, add roughly 1 1/4 inches of soil.
• Next, add bulbs that flower earlier such as daffodils.
• Add another layer of soil on top.
• Plant smaller bulbs, such as crocus, dwarf iris and grape hyacinth as your last layer.
• Water well

This layering variation is also great for your landscape design.