How to Order Fall Bulbs for Planting
- 1). Measure the area that you want to cover with bulbs. It does not matter if it is 1 square foot of space or 300 square feet--the math is the same. Measure the length times the width to get the square footage.
- 2). Multiply the number of square feet you want to cover by the number of bulbs you can plant per square foot, to find out how many bulbs to order. For this, you need to find out how densely you can plant your bulbs. Flowers like daffodils will spread from year to year and do not have to be planted right next to each other. You need maybe only two daffodils per square foot while if you have little crocuses, these might need to be planted more like six to a square foot.
- 3). Order bulbs that flower at different times to extend your blossom time. Some will start to blossom even when the snow is still on the ground, like snow drops and crocuses. Others will wait till the days are longer such as the daffodils and hyacinths. As the weather warms the tulips follow and then the warmer flowers like bluebells and lilies. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from and you can plant them all at the same time for a staggered bloom time in the spring. Some people plant little crocuses in their lawn because they know the flower can bloom before the grass starts growing.
- 4). Check with a USDA Zone map to find out what in what zone is the area where you live. Most catalogs will list the growing zone of the different bulbs. Some flowering bulbs need several weeks of cold before they will blossom. If you live in a warmer area, it is doubtful that those types of bulbs will ever blossom. You will need to choose the warm weather bulbs like paperwhites or reticulata.
- 5). Place your order with the information you have gathered. You can order online or go in person to a local garden center. They often have large bins of bulbs for you to choose from. Typically if they are selling them in your area, you can grow them in your area. Make sure you order in time so you can plant the bulbs before the ground freezes.
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