One of the best things about spring is the return of color after a long, gray winter. Unfortunately, getting those first blooms often requires planning and patience.
Spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, need to be planted in the fall in order to bloom in the spring. But don’t worry, with a little bit of advance planning, you can have a beautiful spring garden in no time.
Why Fall Planting is Important
Fall planting is important because it gives the bulbs a chance to establish themselves before winter sets in. The roots will grow throughout the fall and winter, meaning that come springtime, the plants will be well-established and ready to burst into bloom.
Bulbs that are planted in the spring may bloom that year, but they will be weaker and won’t last as long as bulbs that were planted the previous fall.
What if I Missed Fall Planting?
If you missed fall planting, you can try planting your bulbs in early spring instead. However, there’s no guarantee that they will bloom that year since they won’t have had as much time to establish themselves. If you do want to try planting them in spring, make sure to plant them as soon as the ground thaws and start watering them regularly so they don’t dry out.
Conclusion
Spring-blooming bulbs are a great way to add color to your garden after a long winter. However, in order to get those first blooms, you need to plant them in the fall. Fall planting gives the bulbs time to establish themselves so that come springtime, they are ready to burst into bloom.
If you missed fall planting, you can try planting them in early spring instead, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll bloom that year.