Tulip bulbs are one of our favourites. Getting out there to plant tulips, given the time of year, is a great psychological boost - yes the evenings are getting darker and the weather is getting colder, but it won't be long until it's Spring. It's part of what makes planting bulbs such a wonderful thing to do - and is there any better sight than those first tulips in Spring?
That's why we're dedicating this entire blog to go through exactly how to plant tulip bulbs - we'll cover the best time to plant tulip bulbs, the best way to do it, what soil they need and plenty of other helpful little tips so that, come Spring, you can be looking at tulips blooming in your garden as warmer climates appear on the horizon!
When to plant Tulip Bulbs
The best time to plant tulip bulbs is in mid-to-late autumn, October or November. This is a little bit later than some earlier flowering spring bulbs, like daffodils, so if you are planning on planting a few different types of spring bulbs, factor this in - it may take a little bit of planning.
The reason that autumn is the best time to plant tulips is because during this part of the year, tulip bulbs are dormant, so they can establish themselves in place before they start growing. They actually respond well to the cold weather in November as this can help to prevent some fungal disease issues. You may be able to plant them as late as December if you run out of time, just make sure you get in before the ground freezes.
Storing tulip bulbs: If you have bulbs that you aren't going to be able to plant straight away, make sure you store them in a cool, dry place.
Where should you plant Tulip Bulbs?
There are two main places to plant tulip bulbs - in a flower bed or in a container. They do well in either, the important thing is that they get a sunny spot that is also sheltered slightly. They don't need full sun, but they need a decent amount of light to get the best out of them.
Another key factor is the soil. If you are planting tulip bulbs in beds, check to see what kind of soil you are dealing with. Tulips prefer neutral, well-drained soil. If you find that it is like a heavy clay kind of soil, or if it is too sandy, mix in some compost to bring it up to scratch. If you are growing tulips in pots, use any multi-purpose compost and you should be fine. Wherever you plant bulbs, make sure that water doesn't pool there as that can lead to problems.
Top tip: When deciding where to plant your tulip bulbs in beds, consider that they will die back in late spring/early summer. It's a good idea to have them positioned behind summer bulbs with later bloom times, or perennials, which will help conceal the tulips when the foliage turns yellow.
How to plant tulip bulbs
Growing tulips is a pretty straightforward affair, but you need to know a few things to make sure you get the most out of these wondrous little bulbs. Follow these simple steps and you'll be watching your tulips grow in early spring next year.
Equipment required: Garden trowel (or bulb planter), multi-purpose compost, chicken wire (optional but recommended)
Before we start, we should say that there is no need to soak tulip bulbs before you plant them, which is the case with some. Also, the steps below apply to most tulips species (tulips come in many shapes and sizes), but some specialty bulbs may need a slightly different approach. The steps do work for bed or potted tulips though - the method is pretty universal.
Step 1: Dig a small hole around three times the depth of the bulb - so if your bulb is around 5cm, dig down 15cm. If you are planting a row, space them about twice their width apart.
Step 2: Place the bulb in the hole, with the top of the bulb (the pointed end with the sprout) facing up to ground level.
Step 3: Replace the soil, remembering to mix in some compost to ensure that you get the right kind of soil.
Step 4: If the soil is dry, give it a little water, but be careful; tulips are not a fan of waterlogged soil (which is why good drainage in your soil is so important).
After that, there really isn't much to it. Most bulbs won't require watering over the following months as there will be plenty of moisture in the soil given the time of year. If your tulip bulb is in a container, make sure it has a little shelter if you experience a particularly wet spell.
Will tulips flower in the second year?
We get asked this a lot, and the unfortunate answer is that it is unlikely that your tulips will flower reliably for a second year - while they are technically perennial the way they have been bred over many years means that they are vibrant and beautiful, but not as robust.
However, you may be able to lift, dry and store your bulbs so that you can grow tulips again using the same bulbs. Once the foliage has turned yellow, lift the bulbs out, clean the soil off them, allow them to dry, and store them in a dark spot until you are ready to plant them again in the Autumn.
To be honest, this is a lot of hassle for tulip bulbs, which are relatively inexpensive - so you may just be better off buying fresh ones every year.
Tulip bulbs
You can create a stunning display in your garden by combining tulip bulbs with other flower bulbs and garden plants - all it takes is a little imagination and planning. Create a sea of colour, with different flower shapes, beautiful foliage and dazzling flowers.
Shop our range of tulip bulbs today - we have everything you need for the perfect spring-time display.
