How to Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs Before the Soil Freezes

Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and other spring-blooming bulbs should go into well-drained soil before the ground freezes. Planting at the proper depth now can produce an inexpensive burst of color next spring. S.O.E/Shutterstock

By October, a garden can look like it’s winding down, but one of the best opportunities for inexpensive spring color is actually happening underground. Tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, and many other spring-blooming bulbs are planted in fall so they can establish roots and receive the cold exposure they need before emerging months later. Gardeners who still have bags of forgotten bulbs sitting in the garage may have more time than they think, because most hardy bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes. The trick is choosing a suitable location, getting the depth right, and avoiding a few mistakes that can turn an inexpensive bag of bulbs into mush before spring. Here’s how to get spring-blooming bulbs safely into the ground before winter shuts down the planting season.

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