Tulip and daffodil planting guide

Tulips and daffodils require at least 8 weeks of cold weather to flower properly, if you live in an area that doesn’t get down to freezing temperatures, you’ll need to order pre-chilled bulbs.

In your garden:

1. Wait until the soil is colder than 60 degrees. In the Northeast, we typically plant in October or November but as long as your ground isn’t frozen, you can plant bulbs

2. Pick a spot that has well draining soil in full sun

3. Plant bulbs about 5-7” deep and about 1-2” apart (add a couple more inches apart for daffodils as these clumps get large)

4. Water well after planting

5. Wait for blooms in Spring!

Bulbs can also be planted in pots. When choosing a container, remember that bigger is always better because larger pots don’t dry out as quickly and can hold more bulbs. Tulips can be planted quite densely in pots, similar to eggs in a carton. Bring pots to a protected spot if temps get to the teens.

If you want your tulips and daffodils to return next spring, it’s important to leave at least two sets of leaves on the stem when harvesting to replenish the bulb and give it energy to bloom the following season. Flowers are typically smaller and of lesser quality in subsequent years but still put on a pretty show.