Plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Colour
Plant now, enjoy colour in spring!
Fall is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. With a little work in the fall, bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and alliums will spend the winter underground and reward you with colour in early spring.
For Carleton Place and area, aim to plant your bulbs in late September through October, while the ground is still easy to dig, with tulips being planted later into the fall. The goal is to get them planted before the ground freezes.
How to Plant
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
Dig a hole about 2–3 times as deep as the bulb is tall.
Tulips & daffodils: about 6–8 inches deep
Alliums: about 6–8 inches deep
Crocuses & other small bulbs: about 3–4 inches deep
Place the bulb with the pointed end facing up.
Cover with soil and water well.
Plant bulbs in groups or clusters rather than single rows for a fuller display in spring.
Deer & Squirrel Resistant Choices
Wildlife can be a concern when planting fall bulbs. Daffodils and alliums are excellent choices for gardens where deer and squirrels are a problem.
Other bulbs that are generally less attractive to wildlife include:
Daffodils
Alliums
Fritillaria
Snowdrops
Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)
Tulips are beautiful, but they are more likely to be eaten by deer or dug up by squirrels. If you love tulips, consider planting them alongside daffodils or protecting newly planted bulbs with mesh or chicken wire.
No bulb is completely wildlife-proof, but choosing less tempting varieties can help.
A Simple Spring Bulb Combination
For flowers from early to late spring, try combining different types of bulbs:
Crocuses → Daffodils → Tulips → Alliums
Planting several types gives you a succession of colour rather than having everything bloom at once.
One Last Tip
After your bulbs bloom in spring, leave the foliage in place until it turns yellow and dies back naturally. The leaves are sending energy back into the bulb for next year's flowers. You can remove the spent flowers, but wait to cut back the leaves.
Ready for Spring?
Fall bulbs are one of the easiest ways to add colour to your garden after a long winter. Plant them this fall and let nature take care of the rest!
Visit Carleton Place Nursery for our selection of fall bulbs while supplies last.
