Planting Bulbs in Fall: 4 Great Points to Consider!

We’re just saying goodbye to late summer and can’t believe it’ll be colorful and lush blooms again in a few months. But for the time being, it is necessary to begin spring gardening preparations. It’s time to start working on planting bulbs in fall now so that it can bloom again in March! Let us have a look at planting bulbs in fall!

Bulbs in a Nutshell

Before we start planting bulbs in fall we have a look at bulbs in general. Plants that emerge from fleshy underground stems or roots are referred to as bulbs. These consist of¹:

• True Bulbs: Underground scales that are fleshy and contain an embryonic plant. True bulbs include tulips and alliums.
• Rhizomes: A multi-tipped underground stem. Cannas and bearded iris grow from rhizomes.
• Corms: Modified stem tissue with a top that is flat. New corms are formed when the original corms shrivel during growth. Corms include plants like gladiolus and crocus.
• Tubers: Swollen stems with buds (or eyes) all over them. Potatoes and tuberous begonias both grow from tubers.
• Tuberous Roots: Are swollen roots that resemble tubers. On the tuber, the buds are located at the base of the old stem. Sweet potatoes and dahlias both have tuberous roots.

The Ideal Time To Plant Bulbs In Fall For Flowers

Although there is no deadline for planting bulbs in fall, the best time is from mid-September to late November. It’s crucial that future flowering bulbs are planted before the first frost. You won’t be able to reach the bulbs beneath the frozen soil after that because it will be far too exhausting. Additionally, for the bulbs to bloom, the ground must be frozen. Although it may sound strange, flower bulbs are so-called cold germinators because they only begin to sprout after a period of cold weather.

There are currently many different spring flowering bulbs available in the market. Your future spring messengers should not stay in the garden shed or cellar; instead, they should be planted in the bed or pot as soon as possible after purchase. The longer you wait to plant bulbs in fall, the worse the quality gets because flower bulbs do not store well at all.

The Size of the Flower Bulbs

The next important point at planting bulbs in fall ist the size. Although it might be tempting to add smaller, less expensive bulbs to your shopping cart, you won’t actually end up saving money. You should choose it if the larger bulbs of the same variety are available. The amount of flowering will increase with bulb size. However, this is not the only factor to consider. The bulbs should also not feel mushy or soft to the touch, show any mold growth, or have any green shoots as of yet². If one of these bulbs accidentally ended up in the package, it should be composted right away.

The Depth at Which Bulbs Must be Buried in the Ground

The depth of planting bulbs in fall is based on the size of the bulb. You could say that the bulb was placed roughly twice as deep as it was high. If it is not exactly accurate, do not be concerned. The bulb will take care of itself in this situation. Amazing, huh? It can control itself using its traction roots. You can add a thin layer of sand to the planting hole as drainage if you have some on hand. The bulb should now be placed in the ground with the tip facing up. Cover it with soil and firmly press it down. Water the soil if it’s extremely dry.

Planting Bulbs in Fall Properly

It first needs to perform a location search before burying the bulbs beneath the ground, where they will bloom the following spring as magnificent hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, or crocuses. Naturally, it all starts with where you enjoy the spring splendor the most. You can do this in the lawn, a planter, or a flower bed. The absence of waterlogging is crucial because it will prevent the bulbs from rotting. Soils that are sandy and permeable are best. It is advisable to add some sand to the planting hole if your soil is heavy and clayey.

When planting bulbs in fall, the bulb’s tip must face upward. Bulbs are arranged in rows by those who prefer it tidy. On the other hand, We favor a natural appearance. We do this by gathering a number of bulbs and scattering them across the bed. After that, we add them in as they drop.

The laborious part now involves getting a spade if you’re planting in a meadow rather than a loose flower bed. This is quite sweaty with at least 40 bulbs, I can tell you. Now your are ready for planting bulbs in fall, and enjoying it in spring!

References

1. Sagers, L. A. (2011). Bulbs.
2. Newman, S. E., Ells, J. E., & Feucht, J. R. (2009). Fall-planted bulbs and corms. Service in action; no. 7.410.