Best Times to Plant Spring Flowers
The cold, ice and snow have melted under the warm spring sun, so it's time to research the best times to plant spring flowers! Spring flowers are a beautiful sight, one you'd like to see in your garden. But what are the best times to plant spring flowers so you can enjoy these early bloomers?
Bulbs
Many of the flowers you see in the spring, sometimes poking out of a few inches of snow, are bulbs. They need to be planted in mid to late fall in most regions of the country, roughly about mid-September or October. In fact, most bulbs can be planted right up until the ground is frozen.
Bulbs can benefit from digging and dividing when they go dormant. For spring flowers, this is in the late spring or early summer.
Store the bulbs in a place with good ventilation to keep humidity low, then replant them in the fall. You'll see smaller flowers. You'll also notice uneven blooms and plant height.
Perennials and Shrubs
If you can plant these earlier in the fall, allowing them time to establish a strong root structure, you'll have the best chance of seeing a beautiful display in the spring. Perennials and shrubs that bloom in the spring can be planted in the spring, but be sure to know which hardiness zone you live in so you know what grows in your area. Your local garden center can help you pick flowers appropriate for your needs. Also, if you plant before the last frost occurs in your area, you'll need to cover your perennials and shrubs to protect them from freezing. While the plant may survive, the flowers probably won't.
Annuals
Annuals can be planted as soon as the ground is warm enough. Again, this is going to depend on which hardiness zone you live in. Check to see if the annuals you are purchasing have been "hardened off." This increases their tolerance to cold in your garden.
