As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter sets in, it’s easy to feel like the vibrant colors of your garden are gone for good. But planting bulbs in the fall is a simple way to bring a burst of life back into your landscape, just when you need it most. By tucking bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses into the soil now, you’re setting the stage for a colorful reminder that warmer days are on their way. As the snow melts and spring temperatures rise, your garden will reward you with early blooms, signaling that brighter days are ahead.
Choosing Your Bulbs
When it comes to selecting bulbs, the options can
be overwhelming. Daffodils aren’t just yellow anymore; there are hundreds of varieties, with different colors, heights, and
fragrances. The same goes for tulips, crocuses, hyacinths, and many others. Think about what excites you—whether it's
fragrance, bright colors, or something that blooms really early to break up the winter gloom. Rest assured, there’s a spring bulb to suit every need, and many are resistant to rodents and deer!
Essential Planting Tips
- Planting Planning: To make the most impact, plant bulbs in groups of at least five—more is always better for a bold statement. If your bulbs will be viewed from one side, plant the taller flowers in the back. If they’ll be visible from multiple sides, plant taller varieties in the center with shorter ones surrounding them. For a continuous show of color, choose bulbs that bloom at different times, extending your garden's beauty throughout the spring.
- Dig Deep: Follow the planting instructions on the bulb packages carefully, and don't be afraid to plant deeper than recommended. Deeper planting helps bulbs survive temperature fluctuations and deters curious rodents. A general rule of thumb is to plant bulbs two to three times as deep as their diameter, spacing large bulbs 3–5 inches apart and smaller bulbs 1–2 inches apart. Be sure to plant the pointy end up! Unsure which end is up? Plant the bulb sideways—nature will correct it. After planting, water lightly and continue to water occasionally if the season is dry.
- Find Dry Spots: Avoid planting bulbs in wet areas like at the bottom of a hill or where snow tends to pile up, as bulbs dislike “wet feet” and may rot. If you have a damp area, consider planting Camassia, a blue-flowering bulb that tolerates moist conditions and isn’t attractive to deer or rodents. Once the ground freezes, cover the beds with two inches of mulch to keep temperatures stable throughout winter. Coast of Maine offers a wide variety of mulches that will do the trick beautifully.
Planning for Impact
Pairing bulbs with perennials can create stunning displays of color. As perennials begin to leaf out, they’ll help hide the fading foliage of your bulbs, which needs to die back naturally to nourish next year’s blooms. Perennials like daylilies and asters are great options since they don’t need extra water, which can be harmful to dormant bulbs. If you have yellow-tinted shrubs or bare branches, plant blue and purple bulbs like grape hyacinths or crocuses for a striking contrast. For blue-tinted plants like Colorado blue spruce, yellow crocuses or daffodils like ‘February Gold’ provide a beautiful complement.
One of the most classic combinations is Tête-à-Tête daffodils paired with squills (Scilla siberica ‘Spring Beauty’). The blue flowers of the squills look gorgeous against the bright yellow daffodils, creating a stunning early spring display.
Wildlife and Bulb Protection
Many spring bulbs are deer-resistant, including alliums, muscari, daffodils, and hyacinths. Unfortunately, deer love tulips, but you can plant them inside a circle of daffodils or surround them with alliums, both of which critters avoid. Daffodils and alliums come in various colors and sizes, so you’ll have no shortage of options. You can also use deer repellents, but be sure to reapply them as the bulbs grow.
Fritillaria is another great option for deterring wildlife. These tall, bold flowers come in shades of red, yellow, and orange, and their strong scent keeps deer and rodents away. Minor bulbs like Glories of the Snow, Spring Starflower, and Snowdrops are also excellent choices for wildlife-prone areas, blooming early and escaping the notice of hungry animals.
Dealing with Underground Pests
If you’re worried about rodents eating your bulbs underground, consider using bulb cages, which you can find at local garden centers. Planting with crushed oyster shells or sprinkling red pepper flakes in the planting holes can also help deter pests without harming them.
Fertilizing for Success
To give your bulbs the best start, fertilize them when planting with Coast of Maine Fish Bone Meal, following the package directions. In spring, apply a light top dressing as the bulbs begin to grow, and fertilize again next fall to ensure they’re well-fed for the following year’s blooms.
Using Bulbs in Containers
Spring blooms aren’t just for large property owners. Even if you don’t have much space, you can plant bulbs in containers, so don’t toss out those bedraggled summer pots! Planting bulbs in containers will give you a burst of fresh flowers early in the season, perfect for when you need a floral pick-me-up.
You can also plant bulbs in containers and chill them for a timed bloom. Chilled bulbs can be purchased, or you can chill them yourself in a shed, unheated garage, basement, or refrigerator. Twelve to sixteen weeks of cold temperatures will prepare them to bloom about two to three weeks after planting, giving you control over when your flowers appear.
Start Planting!
By planting bulbs this fall, you’re setting the stage for a spectacular spring display. As Horace Walpole once said, “All gardening is landscape painting,” and what better way to add color to your garden canvas than with a palette of spring flowers?
Written by Lorraine Ballato and Gabi Sott
