When to plant bulbs for spring flowers
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If you envision tiptoeing through tulips or dancing among daffodils next spring, now might be the time to get those bulbs in the ground.
Why it matters: Spring-flowering bulbs need cool soil but also enough time to establish roots before the ground freezes. Planting too early or too late can hurt their chances for a strong bloom.
Zoom in: The timing largely follows climate, according to Axios' analysis of Cooperative Extension, a nationwide network of state university-based programs that provides research-backed local advice.
- In colder states, particularly in the North, gardeners are racing against the ground freeze and generally should plant by early October.
- In warmer states, gardeners might need to wait for the soil to cool below about 60 degrees.
- And in the southernmost states, those planting tulips or hyacinths might need to refrigerate — or "pre-chill" — bulbs first.
Yes, but: Planting windows can vary widely within states that have big differences in elevation, coastal influence or winter temperatures.
- California, Arizona and Texas are among the clearest examples.
- Bulb type matters, too: Daffodils generally tolerate warmer climates better than tulips.
The bottom line: For much of the country, October is peak bulb-planting season. Farther south, patience — and sometimes a stint in the refrigerator — can pay off next spring.
