Flower Bulbs Planted in Fall For Stunning Spring Blooms
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Tucking bulbs into the garden in the fall is an investment in spring, rewarding you with some of the very first blooms, fresh fragrance, and vibrant color after a long winter. When little else is growing, these hardy favorites can bring life back to your garden.
The MIgardener Fall Planted Bulbs Collection features, not just dependable culinary staples like Egyptian walking onions and garlic, but also daffodil, tulip, hyacinth, allium, and crocus bulbs! These flower varieties will return and multiply year after year, providing more blooms and lasting value with every season!
You can use this blog post or MIgardener's free Fall Bulb Planting Guide to help you plant and grow captivating flowers that will herald the arrival of spring!
Flower Bulbs Planted in Fall
If your favorite varieties are "sold out", don't worry. These bulbs are available to purchase once yearly around September. Join the waitlist today to be among the first to know when these stunning flowers are in stock!
And if you're wanting to grow still more flowers, check out these blog posts on how to grow Saffron crocus, how to grow marigolds from seed, how to grow dahlias, how to grow asters, how to grow Jerusalem artichokes, and how to grow lavender.
When to Plant Fall Bulbs
If you live in a cold climate area that receives freezing temperatures, plant fall flower bulbs 30 days before your first frost.
If you live in a warm climate that does not receive frost or freezing temperatures for longer than 4 weeks, place your bulbs in the fridge for 3-4 weeks before planting directly into the garden.
How to Plant Fall Flower Bulbs for Spring Blooms
Use these step-by-step instructions to plant out your allium, daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, and tulip bulbs:
Sunlight - All these bulbs thrive in full sun to partial shade. Ensure the planting area gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Soil - Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches, removing any weeds, rocks, or debris. Well-drained soil is essential! If your soil is compacted or clay, consider amending it with compost to improve soil drainage.
pH - These bulbs prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.0-7.0). Test your soil pH and amend if needed.
Fertilize - Mix in a balanced, slow-release bulb fertilizer or bone meal to the soil to provide the specific nutrients these flowers need. I recommend adding 1 Tablespoon of Bulb+ Fertilizer per hole when planting to help with root development.
Bulb Orientation - Plant the bulbs with the pointed end facing up! The flat end, which is where the roots will emerge, should be at the bottom.
Planting Depth - Use a dibbler to make holes and plant the bulbs at the appropriate depth. Alliums: Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep. Daffodils: Plant about 6 inches deep. Crocus: Plant about 3 inches deep. Hyacinth: Plant about 6 inches deep. Tulips: Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep.
Plant Spacing - Space the bulbs 4-6 inches apart for alliums, daffodils, and tulips. Space crocus bulbs about 3 inches apart. Space hyacinth bulbs 5-6 inches apart. After placing the bulbs in their respective holes, cover them with soil and gently tamp down.
Watering - Water the bulbs thoroughly after planting to help them settle in. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged by watering regularly, especially in the absence of rain.
Apply Mulch - Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch over the planting area to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. In colder climates, the mulch will also serve as insulation to protect the bulbs from extreme cold.
Deadheading - Remove spent flowers to prevent the bulbs from using energy to produce seeds. Pro-Tip: Allow the leaves to die back naturally. This allows the bulbs to store energy for next year's blooms. Do not cut the leaves until they turn yellow and wither.
Ongoing Care of Bulb Flowers
Every spring when the new shoots emerge, apply a light, balanced fertilizer like Trifecta+ or VegaGrow to encourage overall growth and blooms! Every few years, you may need to dig up and divide the bulbs to prevent overcrowding and maintain health.
What bulbs are best to plant in the fall?
Spring flowering bulbs like hyacinth, daffodil, and tulips are best planted in the fall.
What bulbs can you leave in the ground all year?
Many hardy bulb flowers can be left in the ground to flower year after year, like tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, alliums, irises, crocuses, and lilies.
What happens if you plant bulbs too early in the fall?
Planting fall flower bulbs too early can cause them to rot, grow prematurely, or fail to bloom.
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Luke Marion
Luke Marion created MIgardener in 2011 with a passion for inspiring others to grow a garden, live healthier lives, and have fun doing it. With the help of social media, that was all made possible! Today, MIgardener can be found on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. We believe gardening should be made fun and accessible to anyone of any skill level. Our slogan, “Grow Big or Go Home,” was created to help drive home our mission. We believe that when you put 100% effort into something, you will get 110% back.
