How & When Can I Plant Bulbs in the UK: Season By Season

Are you a beginner gardener wondering when to plant your bulbs?

If you're getting ready for a new season of growing and sowing and want a garden full of gorgeous blooms this time around, but aren't sure where to start, this guide is for you.

While spring is a wonderful and well-known time for colourful plants to thrive, you can actually have a picture-perfect garden all year round if you know the right time to plant your bulbs. And what kind of bulbs to plant, for that matter.

Don't worry, though. Bulbs are among the easiest things to grow and don't require specialist knowledge if you're an amateur garden enthusiast.

In this guide, we'll tell you exactly when to buy and plant your garden bulbs, how to plant them, and give you some aftercare advice. Your neighbours are going to be in total awe at your new space once the flowering season begins!

When to Buy & Plant Your Garden Bulbs

Timing is everything when it comes to bulbs, not just planting them, but buying them too.

No matter what bulbs you want to plant, be it spring or autumn-flowering varieties, you need to know your timings to enjoy a successful bloom.

Below is a guide to when you should plant and buy your seasonal bulbs for the best garden display.

When Can I Plant Spring Bulbs?

The classic time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is throughout the autumn months, when the soil is still warm, but air temperatures are cooling. This allows root growth before winter sets in.

If you miss the window, plant the bulbs when the ground is workable (and not waterlogged or frozen). Many bulbs are surprisingly tolerant of being late, though flowering may be reduced.

Tulips are a bit of an exception. Many gardeners plant them later in autumn (October or even November) so that the colder soil helps reduce diseases like tulip fire.

Some other examples of spring-flowering bulbs you can plant in the autumn include:

When Should I Buy Spring Bulbs?

Spring bulbs should be purchased between August and October to give you the widest choice and to ensure they are firm and healthy before planting.

You should store your bulbs in a cool, dry, and dark place until you’re ready to plant them. Avoid leaving them in plastic packaging for long periods, as moisture can cause rot.

When Can I Plant Summer Bulbs?

Summer-flowering bulbs should be planted in spring when the risk of frost has passed and the soil is starting to warm.

For example, dahlias are often started indoors or in pots early, then planted out when conditions are safe.

It's important to ensure good drainage and avoid planting in cold, wet soils, which can lead to rot. Bulbs are hardy, but not that hardy.

Here are some examples of summer-flowering bulbs you can plant in spring:

When Should I Buy Summer Bulbs?

Summer bulbs are usually available to buy from garden centres and online stores in late winter, usually January to March.

Purchase early, and start them indoors in pots, before transferring them outside after the last frost, typically between April and May.

See More Recommended Gardening Jobs for March…

When Can I Plant Autumn Bulbs?

Planting autumn bulbs mid-late summer gives them time to 'bed in' before the colder season.

These bulbs often need a warm/dry period preceding their flowering season, so planting too late in autumn will likely impair their bloom.

Here are some examples of autumn-flowering bulbs you can plant during mid-late summer:

When Should I Buy Autumn Bulbs?

Autumn-flowering bulbs tend to be a little more specialised, so it’s best to buy them early in the summer before they’re in short supply.

Plant them straight after purchase in July or August, so they can establish before flowering in early autumn.

Don’t delay planting once you’ve bought them — these bulbs often begin growing quickly and can suffer if left in storage too long.

When Can I Plant Winter Bulbs?

Many bulbs used for winter flowering (in pots inside, windowsills, conservatories, greenhouses) are planted in autumn, then chilled or simply allowed to grow indoors to flower in midwinter.

Here are some examples of winter-flowering bulbs you can grow indoors:

Note: Truly hardy winter-flowering bulbs outdoors are relatively rare through the winter. Most winter bulbs are grown in pots inside homes or greenhouses, where it's warm enough for them to bloom.

See Our List of Top 10 Winter-Flowering Plants

When Should I Buy Winter Bulbs?

As you know, winter-flowering bulbs are mainly grown indoors. Buy them in early autumn and pot them up right away, so they can start growing before the festive season.

Where to Plant Bulbs in Your Garden

Choosing the right spot for your bulbs is just as important as when you plant them. Most bulbs are easy-going, making them great for beginners, but where you plant them can make all the difference to how well they grow and bloom.

Most hardy bulbs prefer full sun with partial shade, especially the spring and summer varieties, as this helps warm up the soil faster and encourages strong root and flower development.

For example, tulips and daffodils thrive in bright spots, but dahlias and lilies like sunshine with a little shade in hotter areas.

Most bulbs also prefer a well-draining spot. However, certain bulbs, such as Cardiocrinum, can handle a cooler, moister environment. For bulbs like this, choose a shaded area and water regularly.

If you don’t have much shade relief in your garden, you always have the option of using our highly durable shade netting. It’s UV-stabilised, easy to use, and great for gardens and allotments.

Other than that, see how you go!

Bulbs are much hardier and easier to maintain compared to seeds, especially tulips. So even if you can't provide exact, perfect conditions for your bulbs, as long as you roughly adhere to their preferences, it's difficult to go wrong.

How to Plant Your Bulbs

Bulbs can be planted in containers or directly into the ground to create beautiful borders across your garden. They are extremely versatile, making them perfect for first-time gardeners.

So, whether you're after pretty plant pots or blooming borders, here's how you can plant them in both.

Container Planting

Planting bulbs in pots and containers is a great way to ensure an element of colour in any space. Even if your garden is small, it allows you to add some character.

You can either plant your bulbs so they flower simultaneously, or you could plant various bulbs in layers so that they bloom in succession over a period of time. Whichever way you want to do it, here's how you can plant bulbs in pots…

Step 1) Make sure your plant pot of choice is at least 30cm wide and deep, with drainage holes at the base.

Step 2) Place at least 10cm of loam-based compost and grit inside your pot (this is best for drainage and for bulbs' long-term survival), and place the bulbs so that their shoots point upwards. Make sure to put each one a bulb width apart and about three times its depth.

At least 6 bulbs tend to be needed to put on a display. Of course, if you're hoping for something impressive, more like 20-25 bulbs will be needed.

Step 3) Cover the bulbs completely, then gently firm the compost down.

If you're layering multiple bulbs, repeat steps 2 and 3 on top of the first layer.

An example of a good arrangement is planting tulips at the bottom, daffodils in the middle, and crocuses near the top — this will create a stunning display.

Step 4) To deter weeds, spread gravel over the surface, then water to settle the compost. The compost should be kept damp, especially when the bulbs are in active growth, but once leaves start dying and they're heading towards dormancy, you can slow down (not stop) the watering.

Step 5) If possible, place the pot outside in a sunny spot with partial shade. We'll talk about aftercare later.

Border Planting

A border can be a stunning addition to an outdoor space where you want to make a dramatic impact. Plus, pollinators will absolutely love it.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve your own border blooms.

Step 1) Dig a hole wide enough for your bulbs. They should all be planted two to three times their depth.

The best way to achieve the correct-sized hole is with our reliable RHS-endorsed Burgon & Ball Short Handle Bulb Planting Tool, which makes it easy to create the space for your bulbs.

We recommend using between 20 and 50 bulbs if your goal is an impressive border.

Step 2) Place the bulbs in the hole with their shoot facing upwards, and at least a bulb space away from each other.

Step 3) Replace the soil and firm it down with the back of a rake, but be careful not to stand on the soil; you don't want to disrupt your bulbs!

Step 4) Watering isn't essential if the ground is moist or the bulbs are planted in autumn. If not, water straight away and start a watering routine.

Caring for the Bulbs After Planting

Once your bulbs are safely in the ground or pots, a little aftercare will keep them healthy and blooming beautifully year after year.

As we said earlier, bulbs are good at handling a lot of conditions, but it's good to keep on top of the aftercare if you want to achieve impressive results.

Here are some of our suggestions:

Watering

Foliage and Deadheading

Feeding

Protection

1. 

   Green Garden Netting - 45mm Mesh

   £5.40
2. 

   Horticultural Garden Fleece - Per Metre (17gsm)

   £1.09

Final Words: Planting Health & Thriving Bulbs at Home

Planting bulbs throughout the year can really elevate your garden and turn it into a haven of glorious blooms for you and pollinators to enjoy.

Whether you want to plant some spring-blooming daffodils to remind yourself that warmer days are on the way, or you want to breathe some life into your garden throughout autumn, we hope we've told you everything you need to know.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about bulb planting, please don't hesitate to contact us. With more than 60 years in the horticultural industry, we know a thing or two about creating a blooming good garden.

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