Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs

Some of the first signs of spring such as tulips, daffodils, crocus and grape hyacinth need to be planted in the fall so they can grace us with their beauty in the future. These bulbs need time to grow roots and must spend a certain amount of time being “chilled” in order to bloom in the spring. The end of September into October is the best time to be planting bulbs so they meet these requirements.

Bulbs should be planted in a location that receives full sun to partial shade in order to do their best. Choose a spot that has good drainage as bulbs will rot if they stay wet for extended periods of time. Bulbs prefer loamy soils, however if you have a soil that is higher in clay or sand you can add additional organic material to the soil and the bulbs will do just fine. Be sure to incorporate fertilizer into the bed as you are planting, typically a complete fertilizer or one specifically for bulbs will work best. Each species of bulb will need a slightly different planting depth. A general rule of thumb is to plant bulbs 2-3 as deep as the bulbs are wide. For example, tulips and hyacinths should be planted about 6” deep while daffodils need plant 6-8” deep. Be sure to water the bulbs in thoroughly after they have been planted and water them regularly throughout the fall if there is no rainfall.

When planting bulbs use masses of one type or color rather than spreading them out randomly in a bed as small irregular plantings or masses provides a better display than planting bulbs individually. Even though there won’t be any growth above the soil the bulbs are setting down roots that will help them thrive in the spring. Cover the area with mulch to reduce the amount of moisture lost and to provide insulation for the plants.

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu