Planting Tulip Bulbs Step-By-Step

Plant tulip bulbs during the fall, anytime from October to December. Before you begin, check the specifics of the variety of tulip you have to ensure that there aren't any unique requirements regarding planting time. Follow these steps when planting to successfully add tulips to your garden.

Step 1 - Pick a Location

Most tulips prefer well-draining soil and full sun or partial shade. When selecting a location for your flowers, ensure that the species you have does not have drastically different requirements.

Step 2 - Plant

Dig a hole around six inches deep and twice as wide as your tulip bulb. If you are using a bulb planter, make sure the ground underneath the hole is good and compacted. Otherwise, your roots will sit in standing water and rot. To create compact soil, dig the hole bigger and fill it back up. You can also mix in peat moss or compost.

Plant bulbs at least four inches apart. For best results, form a clump of about seven plants. Stick each bulb in the hole with the pointy end facing up. Cover with dirt, and then add a layer of mulch about one inch thick.

Step 3 - Do Tulip Care

While it is growing, water your tulip once a month and frequently pull weeds. Once the flower has bloomed, add water on a weekly basis.

When the petals have fallen off, cut the stems right down to the base. This helps the plants save energy for flowering. Prune back leaves once they have become shriveled and brown at the base. Simply pull the leaf with your fingers and it should fall right off.