When should I plant tulip bulbs and narcissus bulbs?

When is the best time to plant flower bulbs?

Would you like to plant flower bulbs in your garden but are unsure about the right time? We’ve got the answer for you.

Tulip and narcissus bulbs should be planted in autumn, from September through December, before the first night frost. If the soil is still too warm in September, fungi may still be active, so it’s best to wait a little longer. Planting in October or November gives the bulbs plenty of time to develop roots before the ground freezes. After planting, give them a splash of water to help activate root growth.

Tulips and narcissus bloom in spring. Depending on the weather, narcissus flowers bloom around March or April, while tulips appear in April or May. If you plant them at the right time, there is very little that can go wrong, and you’ll be rewarded with a garden full of colour in spring. Everything a tulip bulb needs to bloom is already inside the bulb. The only thing they might need is some water if the spring is particularly dry. Tulips with large double blooms, such as Ice Cream tulips, benefit from regular watering in spring to prevent the flowers from drying out.