The Beginner’s Guide to Fall Bulbs
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Fall Bulbs: Why, When, What, & How to Plant
Everyone talks about planting flower bulbs in the fall. But knowing why we should plant bulbs in the fall, what bulbs to use, when to do it, and how to do it, is a little more detailed. We’ve got your back. Here’s a breakdown of all you need to know about planting flower bulbs in the fall.
We’ll cover why you need to plant some bulbs in the fall, when is the best time to plant them, what kinds of bulbs to plant, and how to plant them for best results. Read through these tips, and next spring, your yard will be a bright spot of colour during Powell River’s spring rains.
Why Should I Plant Flower Bulbs in Fall?
Most of the spring-blooming bulbs we plant (as well as garlic) need an extended period of exposure to cold temperatures to grow well. This process is called vernalization. Each type of flower bulb has a different length of time that it needs to be chilled, and a temperature range that it needs to hit for that length of time.
The vernalization process kickstarts a plant’s growth, shortening its vegetative stage, improving flower size, abundance, and longevity. It also improves overall plant strength and health, enhancing both cold and fungal disease resistance.
In warmer parts of the world, they have to refrigerate their spring-blooming bulbs. Luckily here in Canada, we just get to pop them in the ground and let nature do that work for us.
When In the Fall Should I Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs?
There are many urban legends about when is the best time to plant spring bulbs, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated and mythical. You can track soil temperatures if you like, and once the ground is staying under 15ºC, you can plant. But, it’s not necessary to be that precise.
The easiest way to know when to plant your bulbs is to keep an eye on the weather. When the temperatures start dropping, and frost is a few weeks out, its time to get started. Try to get your bulbs in the ground the week they’re calling for frost. Putting your bulbs in the ground around the first frost gives them time to put out some roots, but not enough time to push leaves up above the ground before winter sets in.
If we have an unseasonably warm start to October and you can wait for a week that will work great. If you can’t, don’t worry too much. Just plant them when you can, early or later. Just keep an eye out for any green popping up after you’ve planted. If you see little leaves poking out, just make sure to give them a generous blanket of mulch to cover them, and they should be fine through the winter.
What Bulbs Can I Plant for Spring Flowers in Powell River?
We can grow basically any spring-blooming flowers we want here in Powell River. If you do succession planting (choosing varieties from each time period), you’ll have flowers blooming all the way through spring, from February to May.
For early spring flowers, plant:
- Aconite
- Snowdrops
- Cyclamen
- Spring Snowflake
- Crocuses
- Early Irises
For mid-spring flowers, plant:
- Squill
- Chionodoxa
- Daffodils
- Fritillaria
- Anemone
For late-spring flowers, plant:
- Bluebells
- Summer Snowflake
- Star of Bethlehem
- Tulips
- Spring Starflower
- Lily of the Valley
- Allium
- Camas
- Late Irises
Many spring flower bulbs, like tulips, daffodils, and anemone, have many different varieties and colours. Some types have different bloom times, so be sure to check on the package. If you plan it right, you could have tulips or daffodils blooming successively for several months.
How To Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs
Planting spring bulbs in the fall is relatively simple. There are three general guidelines:
- Plant bulbs 3 times deeper than they are tall, and 2 times wider apart than they are tall. So if your bulb is 2 inches tall, plant them 6 inches deep, and space them 4 inches apart.
- Plant bulbs with the pointy side up. The pointy end is where the leaves come out; the round bulb end is where the roots come out.
- Water them in well. Since bulbs are planted fairly deep, it’s best to give them a long, slow soak after planting. This will ensure the water gets down deep enough for them to start growing roots.
Ready to fill your yard with the set-it-and-forget-it magic of spring-blooming flower bulbs? Stop by the garden center and browse through our stock. We’ve got a large selection of different bulbs, so you’ll be sure to find something new to try!