Bulbs are best planted in the fall for a springtime floral showing. If you want beautiful tulip, daffodil or crocus blooms in the spring, now is the perfect time to get planting. Here are some helpful tips for your fall bulb planting.

Remember Tender Bulbs Shouldn’t be Planted Until Spring

While fall is the ideal time to plant most bulbs, this isn’t the case in every situation. If you are going to plant any tender bulbs for next year – wait. If you plant them now, the freezing ground and harsh winter will destroy them and cause them to crack. Some common examples of tender bulbs include: begonias, calla lilies, freesias, and gladiolas. If you live in freezing climates, wait to plant these bulbs until the ground thaws. Additionally, each year they will need to be dug up and wintered where they won’t freeze.

Fall Varieties: Plant Before the Ground Freezes

Bulbs need freezing cold weather to grow. You need to plant your bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. If you are late and plant your bulbs in the spring, they won’t receive that cold freeze that they need to sprout. If your bulbs don’t freeze, they won’t grow properly. Make sure that you plant them well before winter hits.

Follow Directions

If is also important to remember that different bulbs need different care when planting. If you are planting bulbs that you are unfamiliar with, read the instructions or research until you know how to plant them properly. Proper planting will ensure proper growing. If you want beautiful flowers in the spring, make sure you follow directions now.

Bulbs are often so easy to grow and will truly make for a beautiful flower garden in the spring. Right now is the best time to plant, so if you want daffodils in the spring, get planting your bulbs right now.

Narcissus, daffodil and jonquil — these three plants sound so different but in fact, they are one and the same. These easy to grow bulbs are known for their bright sunny blooms. They will make a great addition to your spring garden. If you want to plant narcissus, fall or early winter is time to do so. Here is a step by step guide for planting, if you haven’t grown these easy-to-grow flowers before.

Narcissus should be planted in the late fall. You will want to wait until the weather has cooled and is no longer warm, but before the ground freezes. October is a great month for planting these bulbs. When selecting bulbs, be sure to choose firm, disease-free bulbs. Any bulbs showing rot, mold or softness should not be used. The bulbs you plant should be covered by a dry, paper-like coating. Do not remove this coating when planting as it is an important part of the bulb.

There are many varieties of narcissus or daffodil. Most commonly you will find yellow large versions or jonquil. However, with a little looking you can find ruffled, multicolored and miniature versions of these plants. Look around and choose the bulbs best suited for your garden and tastes. With so many available varieties, you are sure to find a narcissus bulb that meets your desires

Guidelines for Planting Bulbs

When planting the bulbs, use the actual bulb to determine depth. Since there are many varieties, the depth of holes that you need to dig will vary greatly. As a general rule dig your planting holes two times deeper than their size. This means that a one-inch bulb will be planted about two inches deep in the ground. Once you have your holes ready, place one bulb in each hole. The flat end will face down and the pointed end will point up. Place your bulbs carefully into their holes to ensure that they are in the proper position to grow. Cover with soil and water thoroughly. Bulbs should be planted in a sunny location with about six inches between other plants.

Narcissus will make a beautiful addition to any garden in the spring. Since these plants are easy to grow, they are a great choice for any gardener. Whether you are just starting off, or have been gardening for years, consider planting narcissus this fall. You certainly won’t regret your decision when graced with these blooms in the spring.