Many people believe that once summer comes to an end, a gardener’s job is over for the season. But that couldn’t be further from the truth!

When summer starts to wrap up, it’s time to start planning for the next growing season.
Fall is one of the best times to prepare your garden for spring blooms!
In fact, there are a variety of bulbs you can plant in the fall to make sure your garden is filled with color by the time the weather warms up for spring.
Here are 10 of the best bulbs to plant in fall for spring flowers.
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Daffodil

One of the easiest and most dependable bulbs to plant in the fall are daffodil bulbs.
These popular spring flowers are typically in flower from early to late spring and can be planted in early fall for growth next year.
Daffodils feature a star-shaped blooms.
In addition to being a reliable flower, these flowers are easy to maintain and are usually avoided by garden pests like squirrels and other rodents due to the poisonous crystals in the flower’s bulbs.
Tulips

While these popular spring flowers do require a little extra work each year, the beautiful blooms are usually worth it in the end.
Since tulip plants typically don’t come back the following season, these bulbs must be planted each fall for a spring floral display. And since garden pests like chipmunks and rodents love to eat tulip bulbs, you’ll need to protect your plants before they start to bloom.
But you’ll be happy you put in that little bit of extra effort during the fall when the tulip flowers start to emerge in early spring.
Lilies

Another classic bulb that can be planted during the fall are lilies.
The beautiful starburst flowers on most lily plants make them an attractive option for a summer garden.
The key to enjoying beautiful lilies in the early summer is to make sure you plant your bulbs in well-draining soil to prevent your bulbs from rotting over winter.
In addition to adding a colorful display in your garden, lilies also make wonderful cut flowers to decorate your home during the summer months.
Crocus

If you’re searching for a flower variety you can enjoy as soon as possible, crocus is a great choice.
These early bloomers often start to show their blossoms when there is still winter snow on the ground.
Crocus grow well in groups, allowing you to add a beautiful pop of color to your garden early in the growing season.
But the best part about these bulbs is that you can plant them in the fall and have amazing flowers in your garden at the end of winter without the need to plant in the frozen ground.
Hyacinth

Hyacinth are my personal favorite fall planted flower bulb. The amazing smell of the hyacinth blossoms are wonderful in the spring.
You won’t be disappointed as you pass by the fragrant blooms when they start to blossom in early spring.
These interesting flowers come in a variety of beautiful shades, ranging from blue to pink.
They’re not only reliable flowers that come back year after year, but they’re also rodent repellant, making them a great choice for any flower garden.
Allium

The fun globes on top of allium stems make these bulbs a great way to add some height and visual interest to any spring garden.
Plant these tall flowers in the back of your garden during the fall months to have a beautiful floral display growing in your flowerbed in late spring.
And since these beautiful flowers taste like onions, most garden pests, like deer and rodents, stay away from them.
Fritillaria

While the delicate blooms on the fritillaria may look difficult to grow, these fall-planted bulbs are fairly simple to care for.
The unique flowers resemble a bell and are lots of fun to look at.
These flowers can grow in full sun or partial shade.
Scilla

While most spring bulbs grow into large, striking flowers, sometimes you need a few delicate varieties to add to the mix.
The tiny star-shaped blooms on scilla are a great choice to add something different to your flower bed in the spring.
Flowering in a variety of shades, including blues, whites, pinks, and violets, this shade tolerant bulb is great for edging or for decorating rock gardens.
Snowdrop

Another more delicate option for your spring garden is the dainty snowdrop, which features white and green bell-shaped flowers that droop off the stems.
This easy to grow bulb prefers shade, which makes them a great choice for gardens near your porch or under a shade tree.
And since they bloom in early spring, you can enjoy their pretty little blooms just as the weather begins to warm up.
Iris

While there are more than 300 different Iris varieties, the most popular bulb to plant in the fall are the bearded irises.
These large six-petaled flowers bring beauty and color to a summer garden. Plus, they’re wonderful for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.
On top of enjoying the big blooms outside in your garden, irises also make great cut flowers to bring indoors and enjoy in every room in your home.
Unlike most other fall bulbs, iris bulbs can be planted in late summer to early fall, allowing you to get a jump start on next year’s garden late in the growing season.
Tips for Planting Fall Bulbs
Finding beautiful flowers to plant in the fall is the easy part. Once you pick the bulbs you want to plant, the hard work begins.
Planting bulbs can be a bit of a challenge for new gardeners, so it’s a good idea to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make sure your bulbs bloom when spring rolls around.
These easy tips will help you plant your fall bulbs and make sure they bloom year after year.
- Check the bulb’s USDA Hardiness Zone requirements. Not all bulbs will grow well in all locations, so before you take the time to plant a bulb, make sure it’s compatible with your growing zone. If you’re not sure which zone you’re located in, check out this helpful map.
- Always plant your bulbs with the point end facing up. This will make sure your bulb’s roots start out growing in the correct direction to prevent stunted growth in the spring.
- If you can’t tell which end is pointy, plant the bulb sideways. Some bulbs are more round in shape making it difficult to know which end is up. If this is the case with your bulb, simply place the bulb on its side. This will prevent the bulb from being planted upside down and allow the roots to grow without being stunted.
- Take the time to prepare the bed before planting. Planting fall bulbs takes a little more work than simply digging a hole for the bulb. You’ll also need to prepare the bed and soil for planting by removing weeds and loosing the soil in the garden bed. It’s also a good idea to amend the soil with compost before planting your bulbs.
- Don’t forget to check the label. Most flower bulbs come with planting instructions, so it’s a good idea to check the label for your variety to make sure you’re planting your bulb correctly. The bulb’s label will tell you how deep to plant your bulb and how many bulbs you can plant per hole.
- Plant in groups for a dramatic effect. Each bulb represents one flower, which means it’s a good idea to plant several bulbs in a group. Check the label of your package for spacing requirements, then plant a group of several bulbs together.
- Plant in late fall for best results. Bulbs should be planted when the soil temperature is below 60 degrees, which makes late fall the perfect time for planting. You can typically start planting fall bulbs in September and October in the north, or October and November in the south. It’s a good idea to aim to plant your bulbs around six weeks before the first hard frost is expected.
- Proper pruning for beautiful flowers from year to year. After your bulbs bloom in the spring, you’ll need to make sure to care for the plants so they come back next year. Don’t be tempted to trim back the flowers after the blooms fade. Instead, wait until the leaves on the plant begin to yellow. Many bulbs use their leaves to create food for next year’s growth.


