Autumn Planting for Spring Flowering
September, October and November is the best time of year to plant your spring flowering bulbs. Autumn planting will mean that come early spring, you’ll have an array of glorious colour on display to see off any remaining winter blues.
We’ve got some hints, tips and advice on bulbs to plant in autumn which will hopefully inspire you to get out in the garden and get planting.
These bulbs are all easy to plant, and the flowers are quite tough, meaning you can pretty much plant them now and reap the rewards in the spring whilst doing little else in between.
Bulbs to Plant in Late Summer
Bulbs to Plant: Crocus
When to Plant: From September onwards
How to Plant: Plant around 6 inches deep
Tip: It’s better to plant crocus bulbs too deep rather than too shallow. Plant crocus bulbs a bit deeper if your soil is sandy
Hint: Plant around the foot of a tree for added effect – careful not to mow them or spray them with weed killer though
Bulbs to Plant in Early Autumn
Bulbs to Plant: Daffodils
When to Plant: Between September and October (and even November at a push, you will see fewer flowers in their first year of life though)
How to Plant: Plant around 5 inches deep and 8 inches apart
Tip: You may notice some shoots coming through in December, this is fine, just leave them. Daffodils are tough old things!
Hint: Look for firm, blemish-free bulbs – a sign of good health
Bulbs to Plant: Hyacinths
When to Plant: Between September and October
How to Plant: Plant 5 to 6 inches deep and about 3 to 5 inches apart
Tip: You can buy treated and untreated bulbs. Untreated bulbs are best planted outside whilst treated bulbs are best planted indoors in containers
Tip: Hyacinth flowers do return each year but the flowers tend to be smaller after their first year. If you want big blooms each year, you will need to plant new Hyacinth bulbs annually
Hint: Hyacinths make great table centre pieces. They can be quite short meaning you can see fellow diners over the flowers at the table – there’s no need to peer through stems
Bulbs to Plant in Late Autumn
Bulbs to Plant: Tulips
When to Plant: Late autumn – preferably in November but before December
How to Plant: 6 inches deep and 3 inches apart
Tip: Loosen up the soil in the hole where the bulbs will reside, this will help them take root
Hint: Grow enough tulips and you could use them in a spring wedding bouquet! The simplicity and elegance of a tulip is sought after by many brides-to-be. If there are no spring weddings on the cards they’ll look just as fantastic in your garden or on your windowsill
You may be interested in our lawn care articles:
Autumn Lawn Care Advice
Annual Lawn Care Calendar from GardenLines
Spring Lawn Care Tips
Summer Lawn Care Tips
Winter Lawn Care Tips
Lawn Scarifying Guide
View our full range of lawn mowers, lawn mower accessories and lawn mower blades.
Hyacinth Image courtesy of sxc.hu / sxc.hu/photo/1002671 Tulip image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net / Keattikorn