October is the perfect time to plant bulbs for spring flowers. Whether you’ve been using bulbs for years or keep meaning to get around to putting some in the ground in the fall, you can always learn more about how to plant and care for bulbs and which varieties are best for Ohio flower beds.

When to Plant Bulbs in Bedford, OH

To get pretty spring blooms you need to plant certain bulbs in the fall. In Bedford you can put them in the ground any time from the third week of September through November. As long as the ground hasn’t frozen yet, you can plant bulbs, but October is an ideal time right in the middle.

This is when you’ll time the blooms just right in spring. And, it’s still pleasant to be outdoors working in the garden. The best time for fall plantings of spring bulbs is about six weeks before the ground freezes and when night time temperatures are around 40 to 50 degrees.

Choose the Right Bulbs and Garden Spot

Before you put any bulbs in the ground, do some preparation. Find the right spot for spring-blooming bulbs, which is somewhere they will get full sunlight and where the soil drains well. Select your bulbs carefully too. They should be firm and not mushy or moldy. For each type of plant, choose bulbs that are larger, as these tend to produce more flowers.

Preparing the Ground and Planting the Bulbs

Once you have your bulbs and a good location, start digging the holes, one for each bulb. The hole should be about two to three times as deep as the length of the bulb. Also check packaging on the bulbs to determine specific depths because there are some exceptions. Mix a little fertilizer into the soil at the bottom of each hole.

Place each bulb in its hole with the pointy end facing up. If a pointy end isn’t obvious, look for signs of roots. That end of the bulb should go down in the hole. Fill in the holes with soil that you have enriched with compost. If you have issues with weeds, put a layer of mulch down over the bulbs. Water them right after planting to encourage root growth.

Protection from Critters

Several native species like to nibble on bulbs over the fall and winter. If you have burrowing animals, like moles or voles in the yard, you may need to bury wire mesh around each bulb. To protect from digging animals, like squirrels and chipmunks, secure mesh over the tops of bulbs. You can remove this layer in the spring as the plants emerge from the soil.

Spring Bulbs for Bedford Gardens

First, make sure you choose bulbs for flowers that bloom in the spring. Then choose flowers you like, those that will grow well in your climate, and those that will stagger their blooms from early spring to early summer:

  • Early-spring bulbs. Some of the first flowers to emerge after the snow melts are snowdrops, crocus, muscari, and early tulips and daffodils.
  • Mid-spring bulbs. For the next round of blooms, plant hyacinth, mid-season daffodils and tulips, and narcissus.
  • Late-spring bulbs. To enjoy ongoing blooms for the spring be sure to include some English bluebells, late tulips, allium, ranunculus, lilies, and Dutch iris.

The work you put in now to get bulbs in your flower beds will pay off come spring. If you choose bulbs with a range of bloom times, you can count on a continuous show of color throughout the spring.