If you want to be greeted by a wide range of beautiful and exciting flower colours and fragrance next spring, then you need to start planting your bulbs in autumn. The cool weather makes working in the garden less tiring and much more enjoyable. Most people love autumn bulbs because they are readily available in all shapes and sizes and are very easy to plant. To increase your success of having cheerful blooms next spring, here are top five planting tips to get you started:

Prepare the Soil Well

One of the best things about these bulbs is that you can plant them anywhere provided that the soil well drained and rich in organic matter. So, once you have identified the area where you want to plant, dig the soil properly to make it loose and workable, as well as to remove rocks, weeds and other debris. Mix some organic matter like compost or peat moss with the soil to add nutrients and improve drainage. If you are using containers to plant the bulbs, ensure you add compost to the soil, and place plenty of crocks at the bottom to increase drainage.

Choose Quality Bulbs

Successful bulb planting in the garden or in containers starts with high quality bulbs. So, when buying bulbs, go for those ones that are firm and plump and if possible, avoid mushy and soft ones. In addition, choose bigger bulbs, because they usually bloom much better than smaller bulbs of the same variety.

Plant the Right Way

Try to plant your autumn bulbs immediately after buying them for best results. However, if it is hot outside, it is better to wait until the soil is cool before planting. While doing so, make sure they are stored in a cool, dry and dark place.

Note that every bulb comes with the recommended planting depth, so loosen the soil accordingly depending on the type of bulbs you are planting. As a general rule, the planting hole should be at least twice the height of the bulbs.

In addition, make sure you set the bulbs in the holes with the roots facing down and the pointy sides facing up. However, it is not always easy to identify the pointy end of some bulbs. In such cases, search for the side where the roots are coming from – that end goes down.

Once you have planted the bulbs, fill every hole with soil and compress lightly. Water them to help stimulate root growth and help them become established faster. Continue watering as is necessary, especially if you live in a place with low precipitation during the winter months.

Stop Weeds Growth

To prevent weed growth, ensure you spread a few layers of mulch over the soil where you’ve planted the bulbs. Animals like squirrels like digging up bulbs that are freshly planted, so mulching also comes in handy to hide the bulb holes. To further protect your investment, you may want to consider putting a protective wire mesh on top of the soil to prevent the animals from digging out the bulbs. Once they sprout from the ground, you can remove the mesh.

Plant in Groups

To create a grand and unique visual statement, consider planting the bulbs in big groups and irregular patterns, rather than in straight rows. It will surely make your garden look very beautiful and the envy of neighbours.

With simple these tips, planting your autumn bulbs should be easier and much more enjoyable.