When to plant flower seeds & bulbs
Gardening is a year-round activity, so there’s always something you can be doing to keep your outdoor space looking its best. While planting season begins as summer ends, each type of flower will thrive at different times of the year.
That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide outlining which month is best to plant seeds and bulbs to give you the best results.
- Snowdrops should be planted in February and in any weather condition as the soil is still warm, even when the air is colder.
- Tulip blight is a fungal disease that causes brown spots, twisted or distorted leaves and grey mould to appear.
- Dahlias and perennials are two flowers that bloom at their best during summer, so they should be planted in March.
- Summer-flowering bulbs benefit from being planted in March.
Planting spring-flowering bulbs: September - November
It may seem counterintuitive to plant flowers when the temperatures drop, but this is actually the ideal climate for spring-flowering bulbs. During this time of year, the air may be colder, but the soil is still warm, meaning the conditions are perfect for bulbs to establish their roots before you have to contend with frost and frozen soil. Immediately after you’ve planted them, they’ll stay dormant over the winter, but will be ready to bloom in spring.
Plant snowdrops in August
Snowdrops flower in February, and in just about any weather condition. To help them look their best from the start, their seeds can be planted as early as August and as late as September to give them enough time to bloom to their full potential in spring.
Plant daffodils in Autumn
Daffodils can also be planted in the autumn, ideally from September to November. It’s best to plant these bulbs when the ground has cooled down, but before it starts to get frosty. They thrive in moist but well-drained soil, especially in sunnier spots.
Plant tulips in November
You’ll want to plant your tulips a little later than daffodils. We recommend you buy the bulbs in September, but wait until November to plant them as the colder temperatures and frosty conditions can help to prevent tulip blight. They have a shorter season of growth, so you should see them start to flower with your other bulbs in the spring.
What is tulip blight?
Also known as tulip fire, tulip blight is a fungal disease that usually targets tulips, manifesting as brown spots, twisted or distorted leaves and a grey mould on both the petals and leaves.
Planting trees: November - February
Tree-planting season runs in the dormant season between November and February. This is so you can plant trees and shrubs while the soil is still moist and warm. Beforehand, make sure to prepare the ground thoroughly by adding compost and mulch as these will help the new plants get established. This dormancy period allows plants to focus on root development rather than blooming, giving them the best chance when spring comes.
February is great for ‘In The Green’ planting
February is the ideal time for ‘in the green’ planting. This refers to transferring plants and shrubs while they are actively growing as opposed to planting them during dormancy. This way, they’ll already have some foliage. Usually, this offers a higher success rate than other methods, but the timing and conditions have to be exactly right to get the best results.
Planting summer-flowering bulbs: March
March is the perfect time to plant your summer-flowering bulbs if you want to enjoy an explosion of colour while you host your guests.
Plant dahlias & perennials in March
Dahlias and perennials are two examples of flowers that bloom at their best during summer, and planting them in March gives them a good amount of time to be ready. However, it’s important to note that these and other similar flowers will need to be potted and kept behind glass until the weather gets warm enough to transfer them outside.
Plant cornflowers & sweet peas in March
More hardy plants like cornflowers and sweet peas can be planted directly into the ground in well-drained soil during March time.
Top tip: once you’ve planted your seeds and they’ve begun growing, it’s a good idea to place 'grow-through' supports around larger flowers as these allow the plants to flourish to their full potential, giving them the support they need.
Bulb & seed planting checklist
To make sure you have all the tools needed to plant your seeds successfully, we’ve listed the essentials below:
Bulbs or seeds
Compost or quality soil
Plant labels (optional)
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Whatever time of year, there’s always an opportunity to plant seeds to keep your garden looking colourful and full of life, even in the winter. Don’t forget to check out our Garden Calendar to see what other gardening tasks need doing and when.
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