Flowers are always a lovely addition to your curb. This fall, you can complement your pumpkins and haystacks with some bright mums. Your mums will continue to add pops of life to your porch anywhere from four to six weeks. But let’s look a little farther down the road… if you want flowers in the spring, it’s time to get them in the ground now.
It’s a bit weird to think of spring in the fall, but now is the best time to plant bulbs for spring flowers. You’ll be glad you took this extra step, especially come spring after a long Michigan winter. As you head to your local nursery to get your mums and asters, you can pick up a few of these spring flowers to plant.
Tulips
Bring the Michigan Tulip Festival right to your curb. When you plant tulip bulbs in late fall, they will be ready to pop in early spring! Tulips come in a variety of color and size, so you have a lot of options to choose from. It will be fun to remember what colors you picked as they pop up in the spring.
Daffodils
Daffodils are usually yellow, but they also come in white, orange and pink! Your daffodils will do best if you plant them two to four weeks before the ground freezes. These cheery flowers require very little maintenance and do best in full sun.
Pansies
Different from Tulip or Daffodil bulbs, you can plant pansies now and enjoy their yellow glow all fall. They will then come back in the spring and last until the summer heat kicks in. Make sure to deadhead your pansies, so they last longer. They do best in the shade.
Tips for Planting Spring Flower Bulbs:
- Select bulbs that are firm and plump
- Plant in a location that will get at least 6 hours of sunlight
- Dig a hole that’s 4-6 inches deep (only place one bulb per hole)
- Place the bulb pointy side up
- Cover the hole with a mixture of soil and compost, then water thoroughly
- Do not fertilize until spring
- Place some chicken wire over your planted bulbs to prevent squirrels from digging them up
- Cover the area with mulch to keep the bulbs from upheaving
