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When to plant bulbs
The best time is when it gets cool in the fall

Novice gardeners often ask when to plant bulbs for spring. Spring bulbs arrive in the stores before summer is even over, so should you plant them as soon as they're available? The answer: No, it's best to wait.

According to the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center, a little procrastination is a good thing when it comes to planting your bulbs. About six weeks before the soil freezes hard is the best time to actually get your bulbs into the ground.

However, it is a good idea to buy bulbs as soon as they're in stores because if you don't get them right away, you may not find the varieties you want. While waiting to plant, store your bulbs in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

Soil needs to cool for bulbs

Planting hyacinth bulbs
Photo: Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center

If your weather is still quite warm, wait to plant bulbs until soil temperatures drop to 55°F (12°C) or cooler.

Soil tends to reach this temperature when average night-time temperatures drop to around 50°F (10°C) or cooler for about two weeks.

If you plant bulbs for spring before the soil cools down, you can have problems, especially in a wet fall.

Since most flower bulbs come from areas where the winters are very cold, but summers are dry and hot, bulbs planted in warm, wet soil can succumb to rot or mildew.

If it's not wet, but still warm when you plant bulbs, they can also start making top growth, which you don't want to see until spring.

After planting, water your bulbs thoroughly. Then normal fall rains should provide all the moisture necessary for bulbs to grow strong, deep roots to give you lot of colorful flowers for spring. For more information, see step-by-step bulb-planting tips.

Related information:

Plant bulbs in spring? Yes, you can...bulb plants, that is

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