Fall Bulb Planting: Everything You Need to Know for a Spectacular Spring Show

Now is the time to order your spring-flowering bulbs! It’s sometimes hard for gardeners to think three seasons ahead, but placing your bulb orders now will ensure that you have the best selection to choose from. No one can argue that spring-blooming bulbs are a welcome sight. They’re a sign that the cold months are drawing to an end and the warm sunshine is coming soon. But so many gardeners forget to place their bulbs orders early, or they forget to plant those spring-flowering bulbs in fall entirely. We’re here to help.

This collection delivers the bulb content you need. From the most exciting varieties to consider while flipping through the bulb catalog’s pages (or website) to the best planting techniques, we cover it. Or if you’re looking for answers to common bulb conundrums or for inspiration to spice up the selection you have, the articles and videos below provides the answers you crave.

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  Design

  Extraordinary Spring Bulbs to Plant in Fall

  Skip the run-of-the-mill options for these more striking standouts
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  Design

  Alliums All Season Long

  Learn the best varieties of allium that bloom in spring, summer, and fall
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  How-To

  How to Plant Alliums

  In this video, Fine Gardening editor Steve Aitken demonstrates how to plant alliums
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  Design

  Classic Daffodils

  An experienced bulb grower recommends 11 of her favorite varieties
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  How-To

  How to Protect Bulbs from Voles

  There's a better way to keep voles away from your bulbs
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  Design

  A Flurry of Snowdrops

  For blossoms at winter's end, plant a drift of bulbs this fall
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  How-To

  A Happy Garden-Fork Accident

  Plant small bulbs in straight lines quicker than ever
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  Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

  Let's Argue About Plants: Best Spring-Flowering Bulbs

  Fine Gardening editors discuss their favorite and the best-performing spring-flowering bulbs
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  Design

  Sweetly Scented Tulips

  These tulips look like spring, and smell like it
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  How-To

  How to Plant Tulips in Pots

  Growing these spring classics in pots lets you dodge most of their drawbacks
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  How-To

  Force Bulbs for an Early Spring

  Use this old trick to fool your bulbs into blooming early
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  Notes from the Test Garden

  How to Plant Fall Bulbs in Containers

  Bulbs in containers can be even more exciting than bulbs in garden beds
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  How-To

  Rows of Bulbs Come Tines at a Time

  Multiply your bulb-planting efforts by grabbing a pitchfork (or auger)
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  Notes from the Test Garden

  How to Plant Bulbs

  Learn how to successfully prepare for spring by planting your bulbs in the fall
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  Design

  Inspiration for Spring Bulb Design

  Here are some design ideas for perennial companions to your spring-flowering bulbs
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  Design

  Grape Hyacinths

  These little blue jewels bring early spring delight to the garden
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  How-To

  Naturalizing Spring-Blooming Bulbs

  Here's how to make bulbs look as if Mother Nature planted them herself
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  Podcast: Let's Argue About Plants

  Let's Argue About Plants: Unusual Bulbs

  These eye-catching bulbs will make passersby take a second look
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  Design

  Beautiful Tulip Varieties You Should Grow

  Everyone loves tulips; take a look at some of the best varieties available to grow