October is the perfect time to be planting your spring blooming bulbs. Planting now gives your bulbs time to grow nice strong roots before they bloom in the spring. Let’s get started!

Choosing Bulbs

The first step is always choosing your bulbs. Obviously what kind of bloom you want to see is important, but there are other things to consider too. Make sure the bulbs you are buying are healthy and without blemishes and look for the largest sized bulbs you can get of the variety you’re looking for.

You also want to consider what kinds of animals and wildlife are in your area. There are lots of hungry critters that would love to get their paws on your bulbs. Some flower species, like Alliums, are naturally resistant while others, like Deer Resistant Tulips, are specifically bred to be unappealing. It’s important to remember that even pest resistant bulbs might still get eaten. Check out the “Repellents” section for alternative options and methods of keeping your bulbs safe.

Planting Bulbs

Bulbs should be planted in a bright sunny spot with porous, well draining soil. Soil that is too moist or retains too much water can cause your bulbs to rot over winter. Dig the holes according to the instructions on the package as different species have different requirements. When putting the bulbs into the hole, the pointy end should be upright as roots will grow from the flat side.

When planting you can add fertilizers. Make sure your fertilizer was designed for bulbs or alternatively you can use fish bone meal: the key is using a high phosphorus amendment or fertilizer while minimizing nitrogen. Keep in mind that fertilizer should not be in direct contact with the bulb asit can cause the bulbs to burn. Create a barrier with soil or mulch to protect them.

Design Tip 1: Bulbs will bloom before perennials. If you plant them behind your perennials, by the time the bulbs start to wilt, the perennials will be coloring up for the season. This is a really simple way to keep your garden looking nice without a lot of extra effort.

Once Planted

Bulbs require almost no maintenance. They may require some light watering over the winter depending on how much precipitation we get. Check them about once a week. Once spring arrives you can fertilize and top dress to help give your bulbs a boost, but as long as they’ve been cared for properly most bulbs will do well regardless. 

Design Tip 2: You can plant fall annuals on top of your bulbs to cover those empty areas in your garden and keep it looking lush and full for autumn!

Repellents

For bulbs that aren’t animal resistant, you can use repellents. Different animals require different kinds of repellents so check any labels for what the repellent will work on before buying. You also want to check whether or not it is kid/pet friendly or food friendly. Not all repellents are safe, but many do use natural ingredients that are. There are also alternatives like flash tape and bird or gopher netting, but those won’t work for all animals. If you don’t like any of these options, or if the critters are giving you a lot of trouble, you can always plant your bulbs in a pot first and create a dome of chicken wire.

Why Bulbs?

Bulbs are an easy way to grow your own flowers and make your spring garden gorgeous and vibrant without the manual labor involved with planting pre-grown blooms. They often bloom before other flowers which makes them very valuable to pollinators in early spring. And they make beautiful bouquet flowers you can even bring into your home!