Fill your garden with beautiful bulbs that will bloom in the spring and summer. The pleasant weather of fall – mild temperatures and warm, moist soil – makes it the ideal time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. Use these tips to ensure success.

Three factors should be taken into account when planning a garden: Bloom time, planting time and location:

• Consider the time of the season that the variety will bloom. Bloom time could be early spring, mid-spring or late spring. Plant a variety so you’ll have color for a long time in the spring.
• Fall is the best time to plant. Spring-flowering bulbs need a cooling period to bloom in the spring. Fall weather is pleasant, and plentiful rains ensure your garden will get off to a great start. Plant bulbs any time before the ground freezes.
• Think about where you want your bulbs. Most bulbs prefer full sun. Before the trees leaf out in spring, full sun can be almost anywhere in the garden. Don’t overlook a spot that seems perfect, but is a bit shady right now.

Planting Bulbs

• Dig a hole three to four times deeper than the bulb’s height.
• Set bulbs firmly in place, following spacing guidelines.
• Sprinkle in a fertilizer made for bulbs, such as Espoma Bulb-tone or Dr. Earth Bulb Food. Neptune’s Harvest Organic Crab Shell Plant Food is ideal if critters dig up bulbs. They’ll encounter the coarse food which discourages digging.
• Cover with soil.
• Water thoroughly.

English Gardens selection of spring-blooming bulbs includes: