Heather’s Gardening Service

Written by Heather Morren

You might think I’m a little ahead of myself, preparing for spring before the snow even starts to fall? But trust me, it’s not crazy at all!

A little effort now, while you’re already winding down your garden for winter, can make springtime blooms easier and more spectacular than ever.

Just wait and see! You’ll be glad you started early!

Why Plant Bulbs in the Fall?

Bulb plants, such as tulips, lilies, and daffodils, need time to establish roots before the ground freezes. The cold winter temperatures are essential for triggering spring growth. Also, planting bulbs in the fall is a low-effort, high-reward project. Plant once, enjoy for years (especially with perennials).

Top Bulbs for Spring Blooms

1. Tulips
   • Classic, colorful, and available in endless varieties. Unfortunately, tulips are best treated as annuals in cold zones unless they’re species of tulips (I can attest to this). The Darwin Hybrid and Triumph tulips are great for cold weather locations like Edmonton.

2. Daffodils (Narcissus)
   • Daffodils are naturally deer and squirrel resistant which makes them reliable perennials. They bloom in early to mid-spring and come in yellow, white, or orange, as well as mini sizes. 

3. Crocus
   • Crocus are usually one of the first flowers to bloom, sometimes even pushing up through snow. In my opinion, their long grass-like foliage isn’t very attractive once the flowers have died off, but the flowers are a welcome sight after months of cold!

4. Hyacinths
   • Hyacinths are fragrant and bold in color, coming in many shades of purple and pink, as well as white. They have a short blooming period but are beautiful to see and smell and have a really unique shape

5. Allium
   • You may recognize allium for their striking globe-shaped flowers that bloom in the late spring. They are great for adding height to your flower beds and are also pollinator-friendly.

6. Snowdrops (Galanthus)
   • Snowdrops feature a small, delicate white flower. They are among the earliest bloomers, sometimes even blooming in late winter if the weather is mild enough. They love the shade and do well with the short spring days. 

Tips for Bulb Success

Planting bulbs in the fall is easy. Here are a few tips to ensure your plants have the most success: 

• Plant bulbs pointy side up, 2–3 times deeper than their height.
• Choose well-draining soil to prevent your bulbs from rotting.
• Group bulbs in clusters of 5–10 for a more natural, full look and for pest protection (read more below)
• Water your bulbs after planting to help root development.
• Consider using bulb fertilizer, such as bone meal, compost, worm casting or store bought fertilizers, at planting time.
  

How to Protect Bulbs from Pests

Unfortunately, you can’t just plant bulbs and expect them to come up in the spring. Many critters love finding a tasty bulb in the fall or spring and having a nibble. Here are some things you can do to help deter them:

• Use chicken wire or bulb cages to deter squirrels. This sounds extreme but squirrels are very destructive and great diggers.
• Consider your fertilizer:
  • Avoid bone meal because it attracts hungry critters.
  • Compost & Worm Castings are usually not attractive to pests. They have mild, earthy smells and improve soil health without drawing critters. 
  • Fish bone meal has a milder scent than regular bone meal but can sometimes attract pests, so use with caution.
  • Make sure any organic fertilizer is buried way below the surface and don’t leave any on the surface.
• Choose pest-resistant varieties like pairing daffodils and alliums, which are naturally pest resistant, with your more vulnerable tulips or planting snowdrops around crocus for extra protection.
  

A Gift to Your Future Self

Planting bulbs in fall is like hiding treasure that blooms when you need it most. Even a few bulbs can make a big impact in the early spring days when it seems like the world will never be green again. Although the weather may be beginning to turn and the thought of going outside seems daunting, now is the time to grab a trowel and plant a little spring hope.

Photos in this article were taken by sources from Pixabay.com (artists: McRonny, Couleur, Ralphs_Fotos, _Tatius_, Hans, akirEVarga). Information was sourced from a wide variety of online resources. Please ask, should you wish to see a full list.