Autumn has truly arrived: the autumn equinox marks the astronomical border between summer and autumn.
The weather is still warm, with no ground frost yet, which means the gardening season continues, and we can enjoy autumn flowers and the changing colors of leaves.
September brings more work for gardeners: cutting back perennial foliage, pruning shrubs, harvesting vegetables, preparing for the next season. One of the tasks is planting spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, scillas, muscari, and others.
When to Plant Spring Bulbs
There is no need to hurry. Bulbs should be planted once the weather turns steadily cool, but before the soil freezes. Now you have plenty of time to choose a collection of bulbs and plan the planting spots.
Most spring bulbs can be planted once and left in the ground for many years. Tulips are the exception: if left in the soil, they may stop flowering after a couple of years.
Tip: treat tulips as seasonal bulbs. This way, you can enjoy a new collection each year, experiment with colors, shapes, and flowering times.
Planting Bulbs in Open Ground
Tulip bulbs are a delicacy for rodents. Use special plastic baskets: they protect the bulbs and make it easier to lift them after flowering.
Choosing a Location: flowerbeds among perennials, sunny spots under trees or shrubs, borders along paths, lawn area.
Planting Technique
Dig a hole about 3 times the bulb’s height (2 times for heavy clay soil).
Space bulbs about 5 cm apart in a basket
Cover the bulbs with soil mixed with compost.
Mulch with compost or dry grass or gravel
Tip: plant tulips in clusters of 10–20 bulbs in one hole for a bouquet effect when blooming.
Planting in the Lawn
A creative idea is to plant daffodils or small bulbs directly into the lawn. Take a handful of bulbs and toss them onto the ground. Plant them exactly where they fall. This creates a natural distribution. In spring, the foliage can be mowed together with the grass.
Planting Bulbs in Containers
Planting in pots is a great way to enjoy tulips and other spring bulbs on terraces, balconies, or patios.
Layered Planting Technique
Take a wide terracotta pot at least 40 cm high.
Prepare a mix: garden soil + compost + gravel (1:1:1).
Place a piece of pottery shard over the drainage hole.
Add 15 cm of soil.
Spread out a first layer of the earliest-blooming bulbs.
Cover with 10 cm of soil.
Spread out the second layer of bulbs that will bloom later.
Top with 15 cm of soil.
Cover the ground with gravel and place a few thorny branches on top to protect the bulbs from squirrels.
Keep the pot out under the roof of the terrace during the winter time. As soon as it is warm, move the pot to a sunny place in the garden. Once tulips bloom, place the container closer to your house or terrace. After flowering, move it aside, allow the foliage to wither, then lift and dry the bulbs. Repeat the planting cycle with the same bulbs or new ones in autumn.
