When to plant bulbs for spring – don't miss the window for stunning blooms next year

Although the growing season is coming to an end, it's the perfect time to start planning next year's garden. And if you're wondering when to plant bulbs for spring, you're in the right place.

Learning how to plant bulbs is relatively simple, but you'll want to get your timings right to ensure healthy flowers next spring. Whether you're looking to fill your garden border ideas with blooms or you're searching for the best spring bulbs for cut flowers, there's plenty of choice, from daffodils and tulips to snowdrops and bluebells.

But first, you'll need to know when to plant bulbs for spring, so we've put together a guide to help you time it right.

When to plant bulbs for spring

Thanks to their vibrant colours, amazing fragrances, and the fact that they’re low-maintenance, spring bulbs are the perfect easy garden idea for green-thumbed experts and novices alike.

If you want guaranteed blooms for spring, experts suggest planting them between September and November.

‘Late September and early October is a fantastic time to plant daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, aconites, snowdrops and crocus bulbs,' says Neil Miller, head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens. 'The ground is still warm and easy to lift.'

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.

This is the case for almost all spring bulbs, but there are some exceptions to the rule. ‘It completely depends on the variety of the bulb and what its unique instructions for planting are,' says Steve Chilton, garden expert at LeisureBench.

Tulips are a great example of bulbs that should be planted 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.

If you forget about your bulbs, though, don’t worry. ‘You can plant bulbs in December, but you'll have a later show,’ explains Neil. So, you’ll just need to be a little more patient.

Thankfully, these rules apply to bulbs planted both in your garden borders and in pots, so you don’t have to amend your planting schedules if you have a smaller garden or prefer the look of plants in pots. But when you plant your bulbs, make sure you plant them to a depth that is at least three times their size for optimum results.

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

The question of whether spring bulbs should be soaked before planting is one that divides gardeners, but it all depends on the kind of bulb you have.

Although now is the right time to buy your spring bulbs, gardening expert Harry Bodell at PriceYourJob.co.uk has issued a warning about buying bulbs earlier than you plan to plant them.

‘If you are planning on purchasing bulbs now, you must make sure you store them properly to prevent them from going bad,' Harry says. 'Once you bring your new bulbs home, lay them out to dry outside of the packaging for around 24 hours. Then, place your bulbs in a paper bag and store them in a cool, dark, dry place and leave them be until you’re ready to plant them.’

What you'll need

• Spring bulbs, like this beautiful selection of bulbs from Crocus
• A trowel like the Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Hand Trowel from Amazon
• A hand fork like the Draper Garden Hand Fork from Amazon
• A beautiful pot like the Sankey Large Lazio Plastic Square Planter from B&Q, if you're looking to plant spring bulbs in containers

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, as these prefer to be planted in November to reduce the chances of 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, ready for next year.