Planting Fall Bulbs for Spring Blooms

I thought I’d sneak in a little post about planting fall bulbs since I have so many wonderful new fall bulbs to get in the ground. We’ll just call this post part two and a half of my three part series on fall bulbs for spring blooms. In part one, Choosing Fall Bulbs for Spring Blooms, I gave myself a budget of $100 to purchase fall bulbs, and presented a wish list of the bulbs I wanted. In part two, I discussed the financial benefits of buying fall bulbs in person vs. buying bulbs online, and listed all the bulbs I actually bought along with their total cost before tax. Now let’s get planting!

Bulb Planting Plan

Draw up a diagram of the gardens where you want to plant your fall bulbs. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy - a simple pencil sketch will do. For fun I did a diagram using Microsoft Paint. There is a legend where I’ve given each type of bulb a color and a number. The diagram shows where I will plant all of the different bulb types. I’ve arranged them according to color and height and grouped them together in different parts of the garden at the front of the house, at the side of the house and in the large bed that runs along the side of the front yard.

All of the bulbs I purchased require full sun to partial shade. The areas I’ve shown on my diagram fit these requirements to a T. Remember to refer to the exposure requirements of your bulbs when creating your planting plan.

Tools/Equipment for Planting Bulbs

Dibber / Bulb Planting Tool / Trowel / Spade
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Mulch
Bulb Planting Plan

How to Plant Bulbs

• With your bulb planting plan on hand for reference, locate the areas where you are going to plant.
• Using a dibber, bulb planting tool, trowel or spade, dig the spaces for your bulbs.
• For a more natural appearance and a bigger impact, bulbs should be planted in groups.
• Divide your bulb types and quantities between the different planting locations.
• Start with the bulbs that need to be planted the deepest first, then work your way up to those requiring the shallowest depths.

Here’s a great guide for planting depth and spacing.

• Place bulbs with the pointed end up.
• Replace the soil, pressing it firmly. (a three year old in rubber boots can accomplish this task quite nicely)
• Spread a layer of mulch (cold climates).
• Water.

Squirrel Proofing

If you have the pleasure of living in an area with a large squirrel population (like I do), you’ll want to spend a little extra time squirrel proofing your newly planted bulbs. There’s nothing worse than putting time, effort and money into creating a beautiful spring garden only to have it destroyed by bulb-hungry little critters. Working blood meal into the soil will help ward them off, but if you want to be extra cautious, add a layer of chicken wire / hex netting. You can weight it down with rocks or secure it in place with landscape fabric pins or garden staples. Make your own pins with old wire coat hangers. Be sure to clean up very thoroughly after planting. Leaving any bits and pieces of bulbs lying around is like extending a dinner invitation. You’ll just be asking for trouble.

The Waiting

With your bulbs now snug in their beds, protected against the elements by their blankets of dirt and mulch, the waiting begins. I have no patience and can hardly wait to see how my spring blooming bulbs come up! When Spring finally arrives and these bulbs burst into bloom, you’ll be able to see the results. The final installment of this series will posted for all to see. I’d love to see how your Spring blooming bulbs come up too!