When to Plant Tulip Bulbs

Knowing when to plant tulip bulbs assures you of healthy robust tulips in in early spring long before the perennial bed wakes up from its winter sleep. Planted in the fall, tulip bulbs form roots and settle in so they are ready for the first rays of the spring sun. A well-planted bed of tulips creates a dazzling display of color in the spring, but care must be taken to plant them properly.

Plant your tulip bulbs in the fall, preferably in October for a spring blooms. Planting bulbs too early may result in bulbs sprouting and beginning to grow in the fall. Planted to late, roots will not have time to develop before cold weather sets in. The goal is to plant tulips once the weather has cooled and 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes.

Choose large firm bulbs that are free of insect or disease. Inspect the bulbs for any signs of mold or powdery mildew. Discard soft or discolored bulbs as they will likely rot in the soil and may spread disease to your other plants.

Selecting a Planting Site for Tulips
Select an area that receives full sun for the biggest and brightest tulip blooms in the spring. Keep in mind that your tulips will need sun all day. Beware of buildings or other structures that may shade the area as the sun moves across the sky.

Preparing the Soil for Tulips
Till the area to a depth of 12 inches. Remove any rocks, roots or other debris from the soil. Although tulips tolerate a range of soils, soil must be well drained. Avoid areas that remain wet in the spring.

Add peat moss, manure or compost to the soil to improve drainage and promote aeration. Work the amendments into the soil with a hoe or garden rake.

Add 5 tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer and 2 cups of bone meal per ten square feet of area as recommended by the University of Illinois. Because bone meal does not dissolve and spread to the surrounding area, apply it to the soil that will rest just below the bulbs. This allows roots to use the phosphate it contains.

Determining the Planting Depth for Tulips
Plant tulip bulbs so the top of the bulb rests two to three times the depth of the bulb itself. As a rule, tulips should be planted to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. One of the most common mistakes new gardeners make is planting tulip bulbs too shallowly. To provide adequate support for the plants, bulbs must be planted deeply.

Planting Tulip Bulbs
Position the bulb into the soil so the pointed end faces upward and cover with soil. Firm the soil down with your hands to settle the bulb and remove air pockets. Water thoroughly and water once or twice a month until the soil freezes.

Planting your tulip bulbs to the correct depth and at the right time gives them time to adjust and develop a strong root system before the ground freezes in the fall. Once the first warm rays of sun melt the snow snow and ice in the spring, your tulips begin to grow and soon produce and abundance of brightly colored blooms setting your garden ablaze with color.

SOURCES:

University of Illinois: Bulbs and More

University of Missouri Extension: October Is Ideal Time to Plant Tulips