How to Plant Bulbs in Autumn

Autumn is nearing and whilst some people consider it a mainly redundant time for their garden; this couldn't be further from the truth.

Along with the important maintenance and prep there is to due to protect your garden for the wetter, colder months ahead, there is also something you can do which will mean your early Spring is greeted with colour.. plant spring-flowering bulbs!

When to Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

For early-late Spring flowering bulbs, the best time to plant these is between September and November. Once you've purchased your bulbs, there should be a handy guide on the back which indicates the months in which to plant, and then the months in which you'll start seeing your bulbs bloom. 

Where to Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs

This largely depends on the type of flower you're looking to plant; the packaging should indicate this when you buy them. What's great about bulbs is that they don't all necessarily need a huge amount of sunlight to grow. We go into more detail on specific flowers further on.

Benefits of Planting Bulbs

What's great about choosing bulbs to plant in your garden is how hardy they generally are. Encased in a hardy shell; this makes for a higher success rate than planting seeds. Birds can't and won't get to them, and bugs will find it much harder to destroy.

PLUS, most bulbs will come back year after year, without any maintenance needed - meaning you can enjoy they Spring colours for years to come!

Popular Bulbs to Plant

Below are a list of our favourite bulbs to grow in Autumn - read on for the best growing and care tips, and for photos on what they look like!

Tips on How to Plant Crocus Bulbs

You may have seen Crocus flowers in the colder months of early Spring and sometimes even late Winter - they can come in a variety of different colours but lilac is the most commonly-known one. Read on for the best planting tips for these small but mighty flowers!

  • Can be planted any time between September-December
  • Will usually flower between February-March
  • Can be planted directly into plant borders or raised beds
  • They prefer nutrient-rich soil; if your soil is sandy or contains clay, try adding some Soil Improving Compost
  • Position these bulbs in full sun or an area with only partial shade
  • Plant at a depth between 5-10cm, with the shoots pointing upwards
  • Space the bulbs around 5-15cm apart to give them enough space to grow
  • Cover with a high quality top soil such as Wessex BS3882 10mm Soil or Wessex Beds and Borders Soil
  • Water the bulbs so the soil is damp - you may not have to do this again depending on how dry our Autumn/Winter is! If the soil does look dry, water accordingly

Tips on How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

We all know the classic yellow favourite that are Daffodils - also known as Narcissus! There are many different varieties of these readily available in garden centres across the UK, ranging from size and even variances of colour. Read our planting tips for these happy flowers below.

  • Try to plant during the month of September
  • Rake your soil to loosen the particles and add nutrient-rich matter such as Peat-Free Compost or even Manure
  • Can be planted directly into grass, or existing borders or raised containers
  • Plant at a depth between 5-10cm, with the shoots pointing upwards
  • Best placed in sunshine or areas with little shade
  • Can be added to existing flower displays for added colour
  • Can be placed close together for tight, bright blooms
  • Water the bulbs so the soil is damp - you may not have to do this again depending on how dry our Autumn/Winter is! If the soil does look dry, water accordingly
  • Will usually flower between February-March

Tips on How to Plant Tulip Bulbs

Tulips are probably the 'loudest' of all of these spring-flowering bulbs, due to their bright, attention-grabbing colours and many different colour options. These are also another easy bulb to grow, that can be enjoyed in late Spring - read on for the best planting tips!

  • Plant in late Autumn: October-November is best
  • Choose a sunny spot to plant these bulbs in
  • Prefer a well-drained soil with some organic matter; add Soil Improving Compost or Manure to heavy, sandy soils
  • Best planted in flower borders or raised beds
  • Plant the bulb around 20cm deep, or roughly three times their depth
  • Leave around 5cm space between the bulbs and plant in clusters for impressive displays
  • Water the bulbs so the soil is damp - you may not have to do this again depending on how dry our Autumn/Winter is! If the soil does look dry, water accordingly
  • Will usually flower between March-April
  • Dead head flowers after they have died and add organic matter the next Autumn for continuous blooms

Tips on How to Plant Hyacinth Bulbs

These beautiful flowers win the best fragrance award! Coming in a few different colours such as blue/purple, pink and white, these exquisite flowers will make a great, Spring show piece. See our top planting tips for these below. 

  • The best time to plant is in September if you can
  • Ideal for planting in borders or raised flower beds
  • Try and plant them along a walkway or heavily used part of the garden to enjoy their scent
  • Plant in well-drained, fertile soil; add Soil Improving Compost or Manure if needed
  • Prefer being planted in full sun for best-performing blooms
  • Plant around 10cm into soil, leaving a minimum of 3cm gap between each one
  • Water the bulbs so the soil is damp - you may not have to do this again depending on how dry our Autumn/Winter is! If the soil does look dry, water accordingly
  • Use small stakes if necessary; hyacinth flower heads tend to be very heavy
  • Cut off the green stalk at the bases once flowering has finished
  • Will usually flower between March-April

Tips on How to Plant Bluebell Bulbs

Great for some late Spring colour, these proud, blue-coloured flowers are a very hardy bulb that do well in many different conditions. Take a look at our top planting tips below.

  • Plant between October-November
  • Plant in well-drained, fertile soil; add Soil Improving Compost or Manure if needed
  • As they are a woodland flower, try and plant in partial shade or near shrubs or trees
  • Place them around 15cm into your soil, always 'shoot-up'
  • Space apart sporadically for a natural look, or 5cm apart for tight bunches
  • Water the bulbs so the soil is damp - you may not have to do this again depending on how dry our Autumn/Winter is! If the soil does look dry, water accordingly
  • There is no need to dead head these plants; they will completely die away naturally and return next year
  • Will usually flower between April-May

Other Bulb Planting Tips

We would also recommend our Woodland Mulch when planting bulbs in Autumn. The benefits include: naturally supressing weeds and retaining moisture through Winter while also not letting the soil get too wet.

Check out the Royal Horticultural Society for other great, gardening tips!

Image credit: FreePik

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