When to plant bulbs for spring – this planting window guarantees showstopping displays next year

Wondering when to plant bulbs for spring? They're one of the best things you can add to your garden for effortless displays at the start of the growing season.

Before you learn how to plant bulbs, though, you'll need to work out the optimal time to get started. Plant too soon, and they'll sit too warm in the ground - but if you leave it too late, they might not flower at all.

We've asked the experts when to plant bulbs for spring flowers that produce showstopping displays next year.

What you'll need

If you want abundant blooms next spring, early autumn is the sweet spot for planting spring bulbs - but it depends on the type of bulb you're planting.

'For most spring flowering bulbs, early autumn is the ideal time to start planting,' says Ross Dyke, horticulturist, founder of Get Children Growing, and host of The Plant Pod. 'Daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths can generally be planted from September onwards, with September and October being particularly good months.'

Ideally, you don’t want to plant these bulbs when the weather is too cold, as this could stop the bulbs from growing their roots and establishing themselves. That's why the best time to plant daffodil bulbs and other bulbs like crocuses and alliums is September and October.

There are some exceptions to the rule, though. The best time to plant tulip bulbs, for example, is later in the year,

'Tulips need to be planted in the cooler weather of November to prevent a fungal disease called tulip fire,' says Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World.

Tulip fire causes withered leaves and brown spots, but planting in the cooler weather can minimise the spread of disease.

'They can still be planted later than October and November if necessary, but planting them in autumn gives the bulbs time to establish roots before winter,' adds Ross.

The question of whether spring bulbs should be soaked before planting divides gardeners, but it all depends on the kind of bulb you have. Depth is more important - knowing how deep to plant daffodil bulbs, for example, is crucial to their development.

'If a bulb is 5cm high, the bottom of the bulb needs to sit 15cm below the soil – multiply the bulb height by three,' says garden designer Harriet Worsley. 'I use a little bamboo marked up with the correct depth as a guide.'

Or, you could use a bulb planter that has a measurement scale, like the Kent & Stowe Hand Bulb Planter from Amazon.

FAQs

What is the best month to plant spring bulbs?

If you want to ensure the best spring blooms, it’s best to plant your spring bulbs between September and October. This will ensure that the bulbs can establish themselves and their roots during the winter so that they are ready to bloom when the weather warms up. The only exception to this rule is tulip bulbs, to reduce the chances of tulip fire disease.

For the best blooms, you'll need to know when to stop planting spring bulbs, and make sure you schedule in the task before it's too late.

Where is the best place to plant spring bulbs?

When choosing a site for your spring bulbs, you'll want to pick somewhere with well-draining soil. Many spring bulbs will tolerate some light shade, which is why you'll often see spring bulbs that come back every year like daffodils and tulips popping up around the base of tree trunks.

Remember that you can also plant spring bulbs in containers. Try the bulb lasagne technique for a beautiful layered display.

Now you know when to plant bulbs for spring, you can start getting your garden into gear for next year.