Fall Bulb Planting 101

Flower Bulbs are a garden staple! Easy to plant, care for, and enjoy, now is the time to plant fall flower bulbs to enjoy their splendor next spring. 

What is a Flower Bulb? 

A flower bulb is like a seed for certain types of plants, only larger. The bulb actually contains the entire flower–roots, stem, leaves, blooms, etc. It’s all self-contained, ready and waiting for you to plant it. 

What are Fall-Planted Bulbs?

Most Flower Bulbs fall into two categories: Fall-planted and Spring-planted 

• Fall Planted / Spring Blooming (Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, etc.)

  •  Fall flower bulbs are hardy, meaning that they require a cold weather period in order to bloom. For that reason, these bulbs are planted in fall before the first frost. They must spend the winter underground gathering nutrients and prepping for their big show come spring. When the weather begins to warm, that’s their signal to start growing and blooming.

• Spring Planted / Summer Blooming (Lilies, Peonies, Dahlias, etc.)
  • Spring flower bulbs are tender, meaning that cold weather will absolutely wipe them out. For that reason, these bulbs are planted in spring after the last frost from winter. When spring matures to summer, that’s their time to grow, bloom, and shine.

How to Choose Flower Bulbs?

Healthy flower blooms begin with healthy flower bulbs. When choosing your flower bulbs, it is important to check for quality: 

• Bulbs should feel firm to the touch--give them a squeeze
• Bulbs may have some dirt or fertilizer on them--but no mold
• Bigger bulbs = Bigger blooms

Quality bulbs are easy to find. Just look for packaging labeled Garden State Bulb!

Fall Bulb Requirements 

There are three main factors that determine a fall flower bulb’s success: Sunlight, Water, Temperature.

Sunlight

It is important to choose the right spot to plant your bulbs to ensure they get enough sunlight–but not too much. Most bulbs thrive in full sun and part shade, which means they’ll need at least six hours of sunlight every day. Choose a planting location that receives sunlight but offers some shade as well. 

Water 

Fall flower bulbs should be generously watered immediately after planting–then not again until spring. They will spend the winter resting and preparing, before sprouting above the soil line in spring. When you see those baby sprouts break the soil’s surface, you’ll know it’s time to start watering weekly. 

Temperature 

Fall lower bulbs should be planted in fall, before the first frost of winter. Temperatures should be below 60℉ when planting. Expect flowers to bloom in the spring when temperatures rise to 65-70℉. 

Know Your Hardiness Zone:  

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) splits the country into zones to help gardeners and farmers more accurately predict what will grow well, and where. You can check your very own Hardiness Zone by Clicking Here. Once you know your hardiness zone, you can plan (and plant) accordingly. 

How to Plant Fall Flower Bulbs

Be sure to check the packaging for planting instructions for planting depth. As a general rule, plant flower bulbs at a depth 3x their circumference. Cover the bulbs over with soil, and water them generously. If you live in an area prone to frost or snow, consider adding a layer of mulch to insulate your bulbs and keep them from freezing. 

Annual vs Perennial

Annual flower bulbs are one-and-done, regardless of where or when they are planted. Perennial flower bulbs can return and regrow yearly under the right conditions. However, Perennials can behave as Annuals when planted outside their preferred zones. 

Hardy bulbs are Perennials, as long as they are planted within their zone. You can still plant and grow bulbs beyond their preferred Zone range, but they are likely to behave as Annuals, dying off after one season. 

Tulip Aftercare

In Zones 2-8, careful aftercare can keep your perennial fall bulbs blooming brightly year after year. Check out these tips to enhance your stunning spring flower garden: 

• Allow foliage to die back for 6 weeks until after the blooms fade 
• Leave the leaves to yellow and wilt 
• Reduce watering frequency as foliage yellows 

Following these steps can help your flower bulbs conserve energy and gather extra nutrients for the next blooming season.

Storing Fall Flower Bulbs:

Depending on the severity of your Zone’s winter season, you may want to carefully dig up your bulbs and store them during the cold months. You’ll want to keep them in a paper or mesh bag, stashed someplace cool, dry, and dark (like a shed or garage). Inspect regularly for signs of root rot, disease, or pests. You can replant them in the fall. 

If your fall bulbs are Perennial in your Zone, you can leave them underground–but you may want to add a layer of mulch to keep them warm and cozy all winter long. 

Until Next Fall

Planting and enjoying fall flower bulbs is a fun and easy way to beautify your home and spend some time outdoors.

Happy Planting!