When should you plant fall bulbs
When should you plant fall bulbs
When it’s still hot enough to work outside, and the ground isn’t frozen, but there’s no chance of temperatures rising again, it’s the perfect time to plant autumn bulbs. That delicate balance may be difficult, especially when Mother Nature casts her humorous eye on your planting zone, but for the most part, you can follow a few rules of thumb to determine when to plant fall bulbs.
What are bulbs?
Bulbs are nature’s pocket-sized gardener’s gift. They have the appearance of onions yet are packed with energy and magic. Bulbs are underground storage organs that contain all of the energy compulsory to shoot and bloom. They are typically papery in texture and have a pointed tip. They are robust, easy to grow, and resistant to South American diverse weather conditions. All you have to do is choose your favourites, which may be challenging given the abundance of attractive options.
The Best Time to Plant Fall Bulbs:
Spring flower bulbs essentially fall bulbs. All those bags full of what appear to be little onions at the garden centre are full of bulbs, which are a part of a plant’s root system. They should be planted in the fall before blossoming into bright crocus, fragrant hyacinth, sunny daffodils, and magnificent tulips in the spring.
Regions with Cold Winters (Zones 1-7):
Fall bulbs should be grown as soon as the ground is cool enough, when evening temperatures range from 40° to 50° F. Ground temperatures of 40° – 50° F are most prevalent in cold regions (zones 1-7) throughout the fall, usually 6-8 weeks before the earth freezes. However, you may still plant as long as you can dig and your land is functional! If required, bulbs can be stored for a month or more if kept in a cool, dry area.
Region with Warm Winters (Zones 8-11):
Planting in the Fall Bulbs in warm regions (zones 8-11), where bulbs will not be exposed to cold temperatures in the ground, will need to be pre-chilled to blossom. To pre-chill bulbs, please leave them in their bags and store them in the refrigerator. Store bulbs away from fruit, especially apples, because all maturing fruit emits ethylene gas, harming or destroying the flower within the bulb. Plant the bulbs once they have cooled during the coldest time of year. Most essential bulbs will not endure until the following spring, so plant them now!
How to plant fall bulbs:
Choose where to plant:
As long as the clay drains adequately, you may plant bulbs almost anyplace in your yard. According to the Dutch, bulbs dislike damp feet. As a result, avoid places where water gathers, such as the bottoms of hills. Bulbs enjoy the light, and because the leaves on the trees haven’t yet fallen, the spring garden may be extremely sunny in many locations. So, while planting in the autumn, bear in mind that you may plant in various locations for spring blooms.
Prepare the planting bed:
Dig the dirt till it is loose and accessible. Suppose it isn’t an established garden bed. In that case, chances are the soil may benefit from the addition of some organic compounds, such as fertilizer or peat moss, both of which are readily accessible at most local garden stores. Enhance soil in the planting bed to at least a depth of. Get rid of any weeds, pebbles, or other trash. If your soil is deficient in nutrients, you may add compost, other organic matter, or a slow-release fertilizer.
Plant:
Depending on the bulb, follow the planting depth advice on the label. Plant have large bulbs approximately 8″ deep and tiny bulbs about 5″ profound as a general guideline. Insert the bulb, pointy side up, or roots down, into the hole. The pointed end of a tulip is simple to identify, but a crocus is more complicated. If you can’t tell the top from the bottom, plant the bulb on its side; in most situations, even if you don’t even get it correctly, the bloom will still make its way topside.
Water:
After the bulbs have been planted, backfill the hole with dirt, softly compressing but packing it. Water only once to encourage root development and to fill any air spaces. Unless you reside in a region with little precipitation throughout the winter months, there is no need to water continually.
Spring-flowering bulbs to plant in the fall:
Here are a few of the loveliest spring-flowering bulbs to grow in the fall.
Tulip ( Tulipa.):
Tulips, unlike most other fall-planted bulbs, do not generally return the following season. As a result, they are typically maintained as annuals, with fresh bulbs planted each year. They’re also enticing to squirrels and chipmunks! Plant them in a chicken wire cage, or layer them in a container with other, less delicious bulbs, like daffodils on top. Although the added effort, their beauty makes them well worth growing for the season.
Crocuses (Crocus.):
Crocuses are among the first bulbs to bloom, frequently blooming when there is still snow on the ground. Plant them in a swath for a stunning display of colour. However, don’t be shocked if you see them in other parts of your yard—squirrels and chipmunks like digging them up and reburying them somewhere.
Daffodils (Narcissus):
Daffodils, also known as narcissus, are among the most dependable and simple-to-grow bulbs, with varieties blooming from early to late spring. Because of the toxic crystals in the leaves and bulbs, squirrels and other rodents avoid them. They are available in brilliant yellows, pure whites, delicate pinks, and double or ruffled petals.
Early Bulbous Iris:
Iris looks best grown in groups for more ruffled blooms and early colour. Low-growing types should be planted towards the front of the border or raised in pots to enjoy their colours and characteristics. ‘Katherine Hodgkin’ flowers have pale blue petals with yellow centres, while ‘Harmony’ blooms have royal blue petals with white and yellow patterns.
Starflower (Trientalis borealis):
This little bloom, sometimes known as an ipheion, is a lesser-known spring bulb. It has, nevertheless, been popular in gardens since colonial times. It features star-shaped blooms that are pleasantly fragrant and come in white or blue. It looks fantastic in rock gardens.
Galanthus (snowdrop):
These are usually cheerful sights in winter and spring because their drooping flowerheads animate the rest of the garden. Snowdrops form dense clusters and thrive in wet soil. They will blossom in shaded areas, such as under trees. Plant the native plant, Galanthus elwesii.