By planting bulbs in Wisconsin, you can get beautiful early blooms that last longer in your garden. Because our growing season is short, it’s important to plant spring bulbs at the right time. This guide will tell you when to plant bulbs in Wisconsin at the best times and how to get your garden ready for a beautiful spring bulb show.
Overview of Spring Bulb Planting in Wisconsin
The key to amazing spring flowers from bulbs is fall planting This gives the bulbs time to establish roots before winter dormancy When winter passes, bulbs are ready to send up green shoots and flower.
When should you plant most spring flowering bulbs in Wisconsin? The best time is in October, or as soon as the ground gets cool, around 50 to 55°F. Planting can go on until the ground freezes, which usually happens in late November. For tulips, planting should start in early October, and for daffodils, it should start in late October.
Best Times to Plant Different Spring Bulb Types
Specific planting times vary slightly by bulb type:
- Daffodils: Mid October to late November
- Tulips: Early to mid October
- Crocuses: October
- Hyacinths: Late September to late October
- Alliums: September to November
- Snowdrops: September to early November
Planting in zones based on bloom time is also an effective strategy. Plant early bloomers like snowdrops, crocuses and winter aconite in September. Plant mid season blooms like daffodils, hyacinths and alliums in October. Wait until November to plant late spring bloomers like tulips and lilies.
How Cold Weather Affects Bulb Planting
Bulbs can be planted as long as ground temperatures are above freezing and the ground is workable A good guideline is planting bulbs when daytime highs are consistently 50-60°F
If a hard frost occurs before you’ve planted bulbs, wait until the soil thaws. Bulbs won’t sprout until spring, so they can withstand light freezes. Just avoid planting in frozen soil which can damage bulbs.
After planting, bulbs will establish roots during cool fall temperatures. Top growth won’t happen until the soil warms up above 60°F in the spring.
Preparing Beds for Bulb Planting
Proper planting depth and drainage are key for bulb success. When preparing beds:
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Loosen the ground at least 8 to 12 inches to make it easy for water to drain. Bulbs will rot in heavy, wet soil.
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Mix in compost or bulb fertilizer to improve nutrition. Espoma Bulb-Tone provides slow release nutrients.
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Remove weeds which compete for water and nutrients.
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For clay soils, mix in expanded shale or small gravel to improve drainage.
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For rodent damage, lay chicken wire over planted areas and weigh down the edges.
How Deep to Plant Bulbs in Wisconsin
Plant bulbs at a depth 2-3 times their height:
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Large daffodils 6-8 inches deep
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Smaller bulbs like crocuses 3-4 inches deep
This protects bulbs from freezing and provides good root run. Measure depth from the bottom of the bulb, not the top.
Extending the Bloom Season
You can enjoy spring bulbs blooming from March through May by making successive plantings:
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Early Blooms: Snowdrops, crocuses, winter aconite. Plant September-October.
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Midseason Blooms: Daffodils, hyacinths, alliums. Plant October.
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Late Blooms: Tulips, lilies, iris. Plant November.
Mixing early and late blooming varieties together extends overall bloom time. Plan bulb combos to ensure bloom times overlap for continuous color.
Caring for Bulbs After Flowering
Remove spent blooms but leave the foliage in place. The leaves produce nutrients bulbs need to store for next year’s flowers. Cut back foliage only after it turns yellow or brown. Mark bulb locations so you don’t disturb them when planting annuals or mulching in spring.
Storing Bulbs Properly Before Planting
If you purchase bulbs well before the ideal planting time, proper storage is important:
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Store bulbs loose, not touching each other in an open box or paper bag.
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Keep bulbs in a cool (60-65°F), dry, dark place like a basement or garage.
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Check bulbs and remove any rotting ones before planting.
With proper planting techniques and timing, spring bulbs will establish quickly and provide cheerful color in your garden after a long Wisconsin winter. Pay attention to bloom times and combine early, mid, and late season varieties for a continuous spring bulb display.
Tips for Successful Bulb Planting
To ensure your bulbs thrive and produce beautiful flowers, consider the following tips:
- Pick the Right Spot: Most bulbs do best in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Stay away from places where water tends to pool, as this can kill the bulbs.
- What Depth Should You Plant? As a general rule, you should plant bulbs about three times their height deep. To give you an idea, plant a two-inch-tall bulb six inches deep.
- Plant bulbs at least twice as far apart as they are wide to give each one room to grow. This makes sure they have enough space to grow and keeps them from being too crowded.
- Watering: Give the bulbs a lot of water after planting to help them sink into the ground. For spring-flowering bulbs, you usually don’t need to water them more until they start to grow in the spring. Summer-flowering bulbs may require regular watering during dry periods.
- Putting down a layer of mulch can help keep the soil at the right temperature, keep water in, and keep weeds from growing. This is especially beneficial for bulbs planted in the fall.
Best Times to Plant Bulbs in Wisconsin
Timing is crucial when it comes to bulb planting, especially in Wisconsin’s unique climate. Here’s a guide to help you understand the best times to plant different types of bulbs:
- Spring-Flowering Bulbs: These include tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths. In Wisconsin, late September to early November is the best time to plant bulbs that bloom in the spring. Planting during this time lets the bulbs grow roots before the ground freezes, which guarantees a lovely show in the spring.
- Summer-Flowering Bulbs: Examples include lilies, dahlias, and gladiolus. You should plant these bulbs in the spring, after the risk of frost has passed. From late April to early June in Wisconsin (USA). Warm soil is great for summer-flowering bulbs, which will give you beautiful blooms all summer long.
- Bulbs that bloom in the fall: These are less common but include bulbs like colchicum and autumn crocus. Plant these bulbs in late summer or early fall, around August or September, to see their blooms as the weather changes.
Easy Way To Plant Flower Bulbs – Wisconsin Garden Video Blog 466
FAQ
When can I plant bulbs in Wisconsin?
When to plant: Hardy spring-blooming bulbs must be planted in the fall. The ideal time for planting is following “Indian Summer” when autumn temperatures really set in. In southeastern Wisconsin, this is usually the month of October.
Is it a good idea to soak bulbs before planting?
Soaking the right bulbs lets them soak up enough water to start growing right away, which saves two or three weeks of time.
What month should you plant bulbs?
The best time to plant bulbs is November for most regions. Cool temperatures at planting time help ensure robust and healthy bulbs in spring.
When to plant allium bulbs in Wisconsin?
Garlic should be planted in Wisconsin in late summer or fall, usually about a week or two after the first frost. Roots and shoots will grow from the clove, but they won’t be able to grow above the soil by the time of the first hard freeze.
When to plant bulbs in Midwest?
Plant spring bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes—ideally, when soil temps are between 40 and 50 degrees.Jul 23, 2023
What is the general rule for planting bulbs?
A general rule for the planting depth is to plant the bulbs at a depth at least twice the height of the bulb (a minimum of 5 cm / 2 inches).