Planting Spring-Flowering Bulbs in the Fall

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

After last week's article on mulching and composting yard waste during the fall season, I suspect that your lawns and flower beds are clean as a whistle, and ready for planting, right?

(...Right, Christin.  Sure...I'm getting there....)

No worries!  Mulching and composting that yard waste will be an ongoing process during the fall, especially after the high winds we experienced this past weekend in the area.  The downed leaves will certainly give you plenty of mulching and composting practice.

Daffodil (North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension)

Fall is also the time to think about all those flowers we associate with spring:  daffodils, crocus, and other easy-to-grow plants that provide early color to your garden.

These bulbs are planted in fall because this time of year corresponds to the end of their natural dormancy.  In general, plan on planting spring-flowering bulbs between October 15 and Thanksgiving.  Most of these plants begin root growth in fall, followed by a cool stratification (or a moist, chilling) period necessary for proper flower development.  Shoot growth proceeds to take place in late winter and early spring.

Crocus (Extension.org)

No matter which bulbs you select, remember that the largest bulbs (2 inches or more in diameter) will produce the greatest show next spring.  However, smaller bulbs (about 1 inch in diameter) will still produce some flowers, and these may be the best choice for mass planting or naturalizing.  Avoid any bulbs that feel lightweight as these may have severely dried during storage.

It is important to plant flowering bulbs at the proper depth, so inquire about plant depth at the nursery or follow the label directions.  In general though, smaller bulbs should be planted at 5 inches deep and larger bulbs at 8 inches deep.  The depth helps to protect bulbs from frost, animals, and physcial damage due to hoeing.

Hyacinth (University of Illinois Extension)

A light application of bone meal fertilizer at planting is often recommended.  Most bulbs do not need fertilization until growth emerges in spring.  When you see plants emerging, apply 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet of a complete fertilizer (like 10-10-10).

Once flowering occurs, remove the faded blooms, but do not remove the foliage.  The leaves produce sugars and other compounds necessary for the bulb to overwinter and bloom again the next spring.  Most bulbs will enter dormancy in late spring or early summer and will renew growth, starting with the root system in the fall.

Spring-flowering bulbs include crocus, daffodil, wind flower, hyacinth, tulips, and grape hyacinth, among others.

For more detailed information regarding spring-flowering bulbs, take a look at the UK publications, Spring Flowering Bulbs for Kentucky Gardens and Spring, Summer & Fall Bulbs.