October is my favorite “color”— it includes everything from the deep burgundies of Japanese maple leaves and bright orange pumpkins to rosy-red apples and dusky blue Hubbard squashes—this month is full of vivid hues.
It’s also my favorite month to plant; I think of fall as a “second spring.” That may sound a little kooky, but it’s a great time for planting.
While the pace is slowing in the garden (assuming you’ve finished all your fall cleanup!), you still have time for a couple of fall tasks that will pay off significantly in the spring: planting bulbs and caring for perennials.
With that in mind, I’m offering a two-part article for this month. This article will help you get started with beautiful spring blooms, while Part 2 shares tips to keep your perennial plants healthy and thriving.
Fall: Prime Time for Planting
Wait. Isn’t spring the best time to plant? For annual plants, this is true, but for many perennial plants, like flowers, shrubs, trees, and flowering bulbs, fall is the ideal time to plant.
The days are still warm, and unlike spring, the soil is still warm too, providing ample time for plant roots to establish before winter arrives. Moderate temperatures also lessen plant stress; there’s less insect pressure and a lower risk of drought thanks to fall rains. Plants will be ready to burst into new growth in the spring.
Fall planting is also ideal for plants whose seeds require cold stratification—a natural process of chilling—to germinate in the spring. Flowers like coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, milkweed, and lupines will all benefit from a fall sowing.
And of course, it’s also the time to plant bulbs, whether they are flowers for spring blooms or garlic and shallots for the kitchen – it’s time to get them in the ground.
See? Fall really is a second spring!
Fall Bulb Planting: The Promise of Spring
After a dreary winter, I love seeing the first signs of spring as snowdrops and crocuses begin to peek through the soil, or sometimes, snow! It’s a little reward for your efforts of the previous fall.
Unfortunately, I’m not so good at remembering to plant fall flower bulbs. I’m dedicated to planting garlic and shallots each fall, but flowers, well, that often slips by me. When spring arrives, I regret not having taken just a few extra minutes to plant bulbs in October. Ugh. Don’t be like me, plant your flowering bulbs (and garlic) now!
In an effort to avoid spring regret, I’m currently stocked with bags of tulips, daffodils, and muscari for my new front garden bed. These are just a few of the beautiful blooms that grow well in our region. Other contenders include highly fragrant hyacinths, early-bird crocus and snowdrops, showy fritillaria, and globe alliums.
Open any bulb catalog or visit an online store, and you’ll be amazed by your options – from tiny dwarf daffodils to towering alliums – but keep our USDA growing zone of 5 or 6 in mind for optimal results.
To keep the color vibrant throughout the spring, consider planting a mix of early-, mid-, and late-season bulbs. This will maintain interest in your flower beds until perennial flowers bloom or it’s time for annual plantings.
Bloom Times for Flowering Bulbs
| Early Bloomers | Mid-Season Bloomers | Late-Season Bloomers |
| Snowdrops | Daffodils | Late-season Tulips |
| Crocus | Narcissi | Lilies |
| Muscari | Mid-season Tulips | Dutch Iris |
| Anemone | Double Daffodils | Alliums |
| Mini Daffodils | Fritillaria | |
| Hyacinths |
Another bonus with bulbs – most will naturalize over time, meaning they will return each year and increase in number, spreading on their own to create an informal display. How easy and gorgeous is that?
Picking and Planting Perfect Bulbs
Always select high-quality flower bulbs from reputable growers – avoid those from Dollar or grocery stores (you get what you pay for). The bulbs should be firm and plump when removed from the package, not shriveled and sunken (dessicated), or soft and mushy (rotten).
Before you start planting, ensure the soil is well-draining – bulbs can quickly rot in soggy soil. Add some compost to the soil to improve drainage and provide nutrients. A bit of bone meal in the planting holes will also give your bulbs a boost.
When it comes to planting, the one thing you want to avoid is arranging your bulbs in a single file, like soldiers. Flowers look more natural when scattered about, even when you’re creating a border.
I like to grab a handful of bulbs and toss them into the bed; then I’ll see how it looks and make any necessary adjustments before digging in. This method helps create drifts or clusters of blooms, which enhances the visual appeal and makes the garden bed look much more natural.
Once I’m satisfied with my scattered layout, I dig holes, add some bone meal, and plant the bulb with the pointed end up (very important!). Most bulb packages include planting instructions; however, bulbs should generally be planted at a depth of about three times their height. Most tulips and daffodils, including dwarf varieties, should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep; smaller bulbs go in at 3 to 4 inches.
Overwinter Care
Once your bulbs are planted, water them thoroughly and add a few inches of mulch, such as chopped leaves, straw, or pine needles, for winter protection. To further shield your newly planted bulbs from critters like squirrels, voles, and deer, consider placing snow fencing over the bed—its small mesh will stop tiny paws from digging.
If voles are your nemesis, try using a bulb basket. Bulbs are placed in a mesh container with a lid that allows them to grow while keeping pests out. Daffodil and allium bulbs also naturally discourage critters from munching on tender, tasty tulips.
So, before you cozy up with a mug of cider and call it a season, grab your trowel and plant those bulbs. Trust me—your future self will thank you when those tulips, daffodils, and crocuses pop up like little love notes from October. Plant now, smile later—it’s the best garden magic there is.
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