The perfect time to plant tulips is in the fall

Tulip bulbs are planted in autumn every year so that the characteristic flowers can be seen in spring. The exact period in which the bulbs are planted in the ground is important.

Tulip bulbs: Perfect planting time

Finding the ideal time to plant tulip bulbs is not as easy as many think. Numerous points must be observed so that the bulbs are not planted in the ground too early or too late. The actual planting time itself is very generous and extends from around the end of September until the ground is no longer open and persistent frost ends the autumn. However, not every day in this period of time is suitable. The following points will help you to set the date within the planting period even more precisely:

• constant temperature: 1°C – 10°C
• not fluctuating above 10°C
• no night frost two to three weeks after planting
• Soil not dried out
• soil not soaked

Depending on the year, the timing may shift depending on the weather and the region. In areas with mild winters, you sometimes have until January or even February to plant the bulbs so that they sprout in the spring. In the Alps, on the other hand, the frosts can often be expected as early as mid-December, sometimes even earlier.

A notice: If you overwinter already planted tulips in the ground on your own, they will become natural. This means that in the following year the flowers will in all likelihood no longer correspond to the selected variety and may even be smaller.

Onions planted too early

A common mistake is planting too early, which the Tulipa bulbs cannot withstand. The reasons for this are temperatures that are too warm and a soil that is too exposed to external fluctuations. Wet Septembers with high amounts of precipitation that penetrate deep into the earth are particularly dangerous. Planting the bulbs too early can cause the following problems:

• Onions go moldy
• Pests eat them
• premature budding possible

All can cause your bulbs not to sprout in spring.

Tip: We expect the first tulips at the end of March to mid-April. In order for the freshly cut flowers to last long in the vase, you should consider the most important ones Tulip care rules internalize: cut, fresh water regularly and a semi-shady location that is not too warm.

reduce the risk of mold

You can keep the onions from getting moldy if you pickle them with a tincture. Brew a tea of ​​three cloves of garlic and a liter of water and let the onions sit there for a period of two hours so that they become stronger. Also make sure that you plant the bulbs in the ground as soon as possible after buying them. If they are stored for too long, mold can also develop, which makes short work of the onions.

A notice: When choosing your onions, make sure they are strong. If they are firm and show no shoot tips, you have selected suitable specimens.

Planting onions in spring?

Fortunately, if you missed the autumn deadline, you can switch to spring if you prefer the bulbs to a cool place in the house for about 5 to 6 weeks. They are then planted out after the ice saints in May, as they would not be strong enough for an earlier planting date. They are preferred in the following way:

• Provide a large box or bucket
• Mix potting soil with some screed sand
• form shallow hollows
• Place an onion in each well
• don't press in
• do not cover with soil
• pour on

Learn more about flower bulbs