Taking care of a garden is a year-round job, but if you take some simple steps in Autumn, you can set your garden up for a blooming beautiful spring! Planting spring bulbs when the soil in your garden is still a little warm from the summer will help you get your garden ready for a burst of colour in the new year.
With the right planning and care, you’ll see a bloom of flowers from February and hopefully right through until May!
When to plant spring bulbs
If you want a blooming garden in the spring, the best time to plant most bulbs is September or October – this is when the soil is still warm and gives the bulbs a chance to establish roots.
You can bulb spring bulbs later in the year if you don’t manage to get them in the ground by October, but you should ensure you get them planted by the end of December.
Autumn planting for spring bulbs
Here is a list of bulbs for spring you can plant in the Autumn to guarantee a beautiful blooming garden in the spring.
Daffodils
Surely the most famous of spring flowers, daffodils are the perfect spring bulb to plant to give your garden a bloom of yellow and orange flowers. Daffodils can be planted straight into borders but are also great to plant in pots.
When to plant daffodil bulbs: Plant your daffodil bulbs in September or October.
Snowdrops
Snowdrops are usually the first sign of spring and usually pop up in February no matter the weather – they even grow through if there is snow on the ground.
These bulbs ideally should be planted in a partially shaded area with well-drained soil.
When to plant snowdrop bulbs: Plant these bulbs in October or November
Tulips
If you are after a range of colours for your garden, tulip bulbs are the ones for you. Tulips come in all sorts of colours from deep reds to light pinks. You can plant similar colours together or plant a mix for a range of colours in your garden.
As with daffodils, tulips are great for borders but are equally as beautiful in pots around the garden.
When to plant tulip bulbs: Tulips should be planted in November as the colder soil temperature helps to mitigate the tulip disease ‘tulip fire’.
Iris
Like the tulips, these come in all different colours, so are another fantastic spring bulb to plant in autumn. Plant them in well-drained soil in an area with plenty of sun and you should see them starting to bloom in February and March.
When to plant allium bulbs: Plant these in September or by the middle of October.
Bluebells
Bluebells are a classic British flower so would be a fantastic addition to your garden. They are pretty easy to grow as well; they just need a shady area and don’t need much watering.
When to plant bluebell bulbs: Plant your bluebell bulbs in September and October and you should see them flower in April and May.
Hyacinths
Hyacinths are a bit of a super plant as not only do they look beautiful, but they give off a wonderful fragrance and are great pollinators too.
When to plant hyacinths: Plant in September and October for beautiful flowers in March and April.
Tips on planting spring bulbs
From choosing the right place to plant your bulbs to soil drainage, here are some planting tips to ensure you get a colourful bloom in the spring:
- Choose the right spot: Most bulbs prefer full sun, but some, like snowdrops and bluebells, do well in partial shade.
- Soil drainage: Well-drained soil is essential to prevent bulbs from rotting. If your soil is heavy clay, consider planting in raised beds or adding sand and organic matter to improve drainage.
- Soil fertility: Adding compost or a balanced fertiliser can give your bulbs a nutrient boost.
- Plant deep: Bulbs generally should be planted about 3-5 inches deep to protect them from temperature fluctuations and to support their growth.
- Spacing: Space your bulbs at least twice the width of the bulb apart to give your bulbs space to grow.
- Protect from pests: Some pests love to dig up bulbs so if you can, cover them with mesh or chicken wire to help stop this!
Spring bulbs takeaways
The planting of bulbs in your garden promises a burst of colour and life in the spring. If you follow the steps outlined above, your bulbs can get off to the best possible start. Plant your bulbs in the right place, prepare the soil well, and give them the care they need after they’re planted.
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