14 Must-Know Tips for Planting Bulbs to Ensure a Beautiful Display

Person planting multiple bulbs in soil — Photo: Jacob Fox

Planting bulbs is a great way to add tons of seasonal color to garden beds and containers. You could have something blooming from late winter into fall with the right mix of bulbs. These must-know tips for how and when to plant all types of bulbs will help you grow the most gorgeous display.

01 of 14

Select Quality Bulbs

assorted bulbs on wood deck — Greg Scheidemann

Bulb planting starts at the garden center with high-quality bulbs. Look for bulbs that are plump and firm. It's typically best to avoid any that are soft and mushy or have mold growing on them. Also, look for big bulbs; the bigger they are, the more they generally bloom compared to smaller bulbs of the same variety.

02 of 14

Pick the Right Spot for Planting Bulbs

Person using garden tool to plant bulbs — David Goldberg

Planting bulbs, even if healthy, will fail if placed in the wrong spot. Most bulbs do best in full sun (at least 6 hours a day of direct sun) and well-drained soil. If you're unsure where to plant bulbs, research the growing conditions needed for the type of bulb you're planting.

03 of 14

Plant Bulbs at the Right Time

Person digging in soil to plant bulbs — Peter Krumhardt

When you should be planting bulbs depends on when they bloom. Spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, should be planted in September or October when the soil temperatures have cooled. Summer-blooming beauties such as dahlia and gladiolus are best planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.

04 of 14

Plant Bulbs Deep Enough

Digging hole for bulbs using measurement garden tool — Peter Krumhardt

Not sure how deep a hole you need for planting bulbs? You're not alone—it's a very common question for gardeners. Generally, dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall. So if you have a 3-inch-tall bulb, dig a hole 6 to 9 inches deep. Of course, there are always exceptions, so check the planting directions that come with the bulbs for more information.

05 of 14

Place Them Pointy Side up

Person planting a bulb in soil — Jacob Fox

The next most common question about planting bulbs is, "How do I know which side is up?" If the bulb has a pointed end, that's usually the side that faces up. If you don't see a pointy side, look for where the roots come out—that end goes down.

06 of 14

Provide Good Soil

Like most plants, bulbs appreciate well-drained soil rich in organic matter. So mix compost into your bulbs' planting holes to ensure good blooming. This is especially important if you have heavy clay soil or ground that stays wet.

07 of 14

Stop Weeds

woman placing organic mulch in bed — Marty Baldwin

Besides being just plain ugly, weeds steal nutrients from the soil and may attract insects or diseases. The easiest way to prevent weeds from being an issue is to spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the soil. Your bulbs will easily push up through it, but most weed seeds won't.

08 of 14

Water Well

watering can planted seedlings — William N. Hopkins

Bulbs are plants, too, so they appreciate a good drink after you plant them. This will encourage them to send out roots and become established more quickly. A good watering will eliminate air pockets in the soil that could cause your bulbs to dry out, too.

09 of 14

Protect Your Investment

Chicken Wire placed over Bulbs using dirt — Lark Smothermon

Critters such as squirrels love digging up freshly planted bulbs like tulips. To keep animals away, spread a layer of mulch to hide your bulb holes. If that doesn't help, weigh down a piece of mesh or chicken wire over the soil to keep critters from digging. It should be safe to remove the protective mesh or wire after the bulbs start to sprout out of the ground.

10 of 14

Overwinter Tender Bulbs

canna spike with red flowers — Marty Baldwin

If you live in a cold winter climate where the ground freezes and want to save your tender summer bulbs, such as canna, you'll need to store them in a frost-free place over the winter. An easy way to do this is by planting bulbs in containers and then sinking those containers in the ground. Dig up the containers and store them in a garage, basement, or shed that stays about 40 to 55°F at the end of the season.

11 of 14

Plant in Groups

Most bulbs look best when planted in big, irregular groupings (the more bulbs, the more impressive the impact) instead of straight rows. So try tossing them onto the ground and plant them where they fall. It's OK if some bulbs are a little closer to each other than the recommended spacing—it adds to the natural look.

12 of 14

Layer Perennial Bulbs

Tulipa 'Heart's Delight' — Peter Krumhardt

For a dramatic show of spring-flowering bulbs, plant smaller perennial species such as crocus or Siberian squill over larger bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, and lilies. That way, you'll get twice the color in the same space.

13 of 14

Plant Bulbs in Containers

marbleized blue white pots daffodils centerpiece — Adam Albright

Most bulbs do just as well in containers as in the ground. Create pots of spring joy with your favorite tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths by sinking them in the ground so they avoid the winter chill. Or you can store the containers in a cold garage or storage shed. When the bulbs fade, replace them with warm-weather favorites such as callas, cannas, or caladiums for summer-long beauty.

14 of 14

Naturalize Spring Bulbs

blue blooming siberian squill flowers — Bob Stefko

Naturalizing early spring bulbs in your lawn is a fun way to add color to your landscape. Siberian squill is one of the best bulbs to plant in lawns because they bloom early in the season and begin dying back before your lawn needs mowing. Just wait to mow until the bulb foliage has already started fading, or you might not get many blooms the following year. Avoid using any lawn herbicides until the bulbs have gone completely dormant.