Spring bulbs bring a little seasonal magic to the garden, but getting them into the ground involves more than digging a hole and dropping them in. If compost sits nearby, it can look like an obvious helper, especially when the soil looks tired, compacted, or generally unimpressed with its gardening assignment. The good news is that compost can improve the soil around spring bulbs, but more is not automatically better.
The trick involves preparing the planting area without turning it into a buffet of overly rich soil. Spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and alliums generally prefer well-drained soil, and that detail matters far more than creating a supercharged planting mix. A little thoughtful soil preparation can give bulbs a much better start, while a heavy dose of compost can create problems that show up later.
