Planting Hardy Bulbs in the Fall Season

The fall season is the perfect time to begin prepping for your spring garden by planting hardy bulbs. These bulbs should be planted between mid-October and early December when the ground is cool, and the evening temperatures are consistently between 40° - 50°F about 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. This is the ideal planting window. However, even into January, you can plant these hardy bulbs if you can still dig, and your ground is workable! 

When planting, choose a location that receives full sun, at least 6 hours daily, and is away from tree roots that may compete for nutrients. Bulbs need to be planted with the pointed end up because the pointed end of the bulb is where the flower stem will emerge. Plant your bulbs twice as deep as their height. An example would be if your bulb is 3 inches tall, dig a hole 6 inches deep. Several tools can be used for digging, such as a bulb planter (which allows you to dig a perfectly cylindrical hole while measuring the depth at which you are digging), an auger bit attachment (attaches to a power drill and requires the least amount of effort), or you can use a standard hand trowel. Once the hole has been dug, amending the soil is important. Adding compost will create a looser and more loamy quality and give the bulb nutrients to root in. Bulb-tone® is also great to mix into the soil. Bulb-Tone® adds extra nutrients to encourage more prominent blooms and root growth. Combine 1/3 compost and the proper dose of Bulb-tone® with the remaining 2/3 of the soil removed for the bulb. This preparation is especially important for Kansas and Missouri gardeners because the soil has more clay. They say bulbs are like chips; you can’t have just one! Plant many bulbs and varieties in the garden bed to increase their impact. The proper space between bulbs is the depth of the hole dug. For example, if you dug a hole 6 inches deep for your bulb, space the next hole 6 inches away from the other. This will allow each plant to have room to grow. Bulbs should not touch each other. 

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After bulbs are planted

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After planting the bulbs, apply our Family Tree Nursery Controlled Release Plant Food to the area. It will supply additional nutrition every time you water, or it rains, further aiding in root establishment. Water them generously to soak the area and promote root growth before winter. Avoid overwatering, as bulbs are especially prone to rot due to their fleshy and moisture-retaining nature. Mulching your garden bed is great for weed prevention, and it also insulates the bulbs from the cold winter and retains moisture in the cooler months. When your bulbs are done blooming in the spring season, it is crucial to let the foliage remain until it is withered and yellow. The leaves collect the last bit of nutrients from the sun, allowing the bulb to regenerate a flower that will bloom the following Spring. Though it can be tempting, removing the leaves prematurely will result in a non-blooming bulb the following year.

Gardening with bulbs is sure to be a rewarding experience, producing flowers that can be enjoyed year after year. Get a jump start on your spring garden by purchasing your spring-blooming hardy bulbs at Family Tree Nursery. We carry many bulbs, including irises, daffodils, tulips, crocuses, hyacinths, allium, and muscaris. Be sure to ask our knowledgeable staff any questions you may have about your bulb garden, and we will ensure you get the help and answers you need! Bulbs require little effort and provide ample rewards. You will have a lush and colorful garden this spring using these simple steps!