When To Plant:

Fall is the best time to plant spring flowering bulbs, however there are
some slight differences depending on where you live. In the North and
mid-sections of the US, flower bulbs should be planted between September and
November, either in the shade or full sunlight. Southern regions should
plant them in the shade between October and January. However, bulbs can be
planted even after frost is in the ground, provided that the soil is easily
cultivated.

How Deep to Plant:

This depends on the size of bulb you are planting. The general rule of thumb
is to plant the bulbs twice as deep as their height. This means that tulips
and daffodils are generally planted 6″ deep, muscari and crocus about 4″
deep. Planting depth is from the top of the bulb (pointed end up!)

How Far Apart Should They Be Spaced:

Smaller bulbs should be planted fairly close together, roughly 4″ apart;
larger bulbs should have approximately 5″ separating them. But this rule was
meant to be broken. If you wish to create a bolder splash of color, you can
plant them even closer, to the point where your bulbs are almost touching.

What Kind Of Soil:

Flower bulbs thrive in well drained soil, and left to grow and naturalize.
They prefer some organic material or compost mixed in with the soil. Make
sure the soil is cultivated beneath the bulbs to ensure good root growth.
Bulbs can be planted in pots as well, as long as they contain free-draining
soil or compost. Bulbs do best if dug up and divided every three years or so
after the foliage has died.

What After-Care is Needed:

After the bulbs have been planted, water the soil well. If you live in an
area subject to severe frosts, give them extra protection by covering them
with straw or mulch. Because flower bulbs create reserves of food, the
fading of the first year’s bloom does not mean flowering has ended. Many
will re-appear the following spring, especially if you add a little bulb
booster, bone meal or fertilizer when the flowers begin to fade.

Indoor Forcing:

Flower bulbs that you wish to bloom inside the house can be planted in
earthenware, glass or plastic pots. Be sure that the pot is at least four
inches deep, and has a drainage hole. A medium potting soil is ideal.
Partially fill the pots with soil, then place the bulbs lightly into the
soil. They may be allowed to almost touch each other. With tulips, arrange
so that the flat side of the bulbs faces the pot. Continue to fill the pot
with soil so that the ‘noses’ of the bulbs are just covered. Sprinkle
generously with water to encourage rooting. To obtain suitable results, it
is absolutely necessary that the bulbs spend the indicated time (see chart)
in a cold environment. Preferably this should also be dark, although this
factor is not critical. If you do not have a cool room available, the pots
can be buried in the ground for the indicated period of time - provided that
it’s not too wet. If you don’t provide with a sufficiently long cold period,
the stems will be short, too long and the stems will appear leggy. After the
cold period is over, you should put the bulbs in a warm room. It will be
another 2 to 4 weeks before the flowers will be in full bloom. The smaller
bulbs, such as crocus, find room temperature too warm, so find them a spot
in a cool hallway or basement.

Variety Cold Period
Hyacinths 10 to 12 weeks
Tulips 13 to 15 weeks
Daffodils 13 to 16 weeks
Crocus 14 weeks
Iris 13 to 15 weeks
Grape Hyacinths 14 to 15 weeks