Plant daffodils, crocuses and most other spring flowers in September and October, and tulips only in October and November. As a rule of thumb, set each bulb two to three times as deep as it is tall, pointed end up, as long as the ground in your garden is not yet frozen.
Why do bulbs need the autumn?
After planting, spring bulbs first grow roots while the soil still holds some warmth. They then need the winter cold as a signal to flower. Bulbs planted too late root poorly and flower less, and tulips planted too early are more prone to fungal diseases such as tulip fire. That is why it pays to plant daffodils earlier and tulips later.
How deep and how far apart?
- A tulip bulb 5 centimetres tall goes about 10 to 15 centimetres deep.
- Small bulbs such as crocuses or grape hyacinths go correspondingly shallower, about 5 to 8 centimetres deep.
- Leave at least twice the bulb’s width between bulbs.
- In cold areas where frost goes deep, you can plant tulips a little deeper.
Which soil suits them?
Bulbs rot in wet, compacted soil. A sunny spot with free-draining soil is ideal. If your soil is heavy clay, mix a little sand or fine grit into the planting hole. After planting, water once thoroughly so the soil settles around the bulb and rooting begins.
What happens if I plant too shallow?
Bulbs planted too close to the surface dry out more easily, freeze more often in winter and often produce only leaves the following year. If you notice in spring that your tulips stop flowering after one year, the cause is often a planting depth that was too shallow.
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