How to Plant Spring Bulbs in Autumn for a Bright Garden
Autumn is the ideal moment to prepare for a bright start to next year. This is when you plant the bulbs that will fill your garden with colour in early spring. Tulips and daffodils are favourites, but there are many others to explore, including winter aconites that flower in the colder months. Bulbs can be placed almost anywhere, whether tucked between perennials, naturalised in grass or arranged in pots on a terrace or balcony. Our garden centre in Sevenoaks has a wide choice to explore, and you can keep an eye on our site for more helpful bulb advice.
When and where to plant spring bulbs
You can plant bulbs outdoors throughout autumn and even into December, provided the soil is not frozen. Spring bulbs need a period of cold weather to trigger flowering, so they must be planted outside.
- Choose well-drained soil, as bulbs are prone to rotting in wet conditions.
- Smaller bulbs grow well in pots or containers; ensure good drainage by adding crocks and a layer of horticultural grit, then mix a little sand into the compost.
- Bulbs such as snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, star hyacinths and Anemone blanda can be naturalised in grass. Lift a section of turf, place the bulbs beneath, then replace the turf and firm it down. Wait until the foliage has fully died back in spring before mowing.
- Always check whether a bulb prefers sun or shade. Tulips and daffodils often need full sun, while bluebells or wild garlic grow well in shade.
How to plant spring bulbs
- Plant bulbs promptly so they do not dry out.
- As a general rule, plant each bulb two to three times as deep as its height, with the pointed end facing up. If the top is unclear, plant it on its side.
- Space bulbs roughly twice their own width apart, and avoid placing them so close that they touch.
- For a relaxed, natural look, scatter bulbs over the soil surface and plant them where they fall.
- Containers can be layered using the “lasagne” technique: the largest, latest-flowering bulbs go at the bottom, then a layer of compost mixed with sand, followed by smaller bulbs above. Avoid planting too near the edge of the pot. Winter pansies can be added on top for extra colour through the cold months.
Further tips
- Remove faded flowers once they finish but leave the foliage intact so the bulbs can store energy for the following year.
- Early flowers are valuable for bees and other insects, helping to support wildlife at the start of the season.
If you want a lively display next spring, plant your bulbs while the soil is still warm. Visit our garden centre in Kent for healthy, good-quality bulbs and friendly guidance.