It may seem counter-intuitive to plant something in the Autumn that won’t bloom for you until spring, but late September and into October is the really the best time for Zone 4b residents to plant many bulbs so they can establish and develop before winter comes and have a head start when Spring finally rolls around. And anyone from the North knows that when spring arrives, we’re ready to see flowers in our garden as soon as possible
We carry many varieties of high-quality Fall bulbs for Spring flowers and below are just a few examples. Check out the store for the full array!
Narcissus
Tulips
Allium
Crocus
Hyacinth
When you’re ready to plant your bulbs, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1️⃣ When planting make sure you choose a spot with enough sunlight. 6 hours should do to warm up the soil enough for early growth. Remember that many bulbs, like tulips and daffodils bloom BEFORE your tress have leaves on them!
2️⃣ Prepare the bed by weeding, loosening the soil, and amending with compost or organic matter. And make sure the soil is well-draining. Soggy soil means rotten bulbs.
3️⃣ Add a little liquid fence or other deer/rabbit/squirrel repellant to the bulb when planting and that can help ensure the critters don’t dig them up before spring. Subsequent applications will be necessary, though. Daffodils, Hyacinth, and Allium are typically deer resistant if you have that issue.
4️⃣ Plant the bulb pointy side up and roots down in a whole depth that’s three times the width of the bulb—or according to package instructions.
5️⃣Plant taller bulbs toward the backs of beds and borders and the shorter ones in front and plant en masse for more dramatic color. Spreading them out to sparsely will give you a scraggly looking garden.
6️⃣ Water immediately after planting and occasionally until the ground freezes. Don’t overwater; you don’t want them to rot! Water in spring when the first flower buds appear.
7️⃣ Mulch the area to suppress weed competition, hold in moisture, and avoid heaving from frantic freeze/thaw cycles.
Bulb availability may vary, but usually found in our store from just after Labor Day until October. Please check store for current varieties.
Images courtesy of Stuifbergen Bulb Export, Inc.