How to plant spring bulbs this autumn (or grow them indoors this winter!)

When is it time to plant spring bulbs?

Spring bulbs can be planted anytime in the autumn starting in September and as late as December or January. As long as the ground isn't frozen, you can plant these bulbs. Over the next few weeks, spring bulbs will be exposed to cold. The process is called “vernalization.” The colder weather triggers the breakdown of hormones that inhibit flower production. This process keeps spring bulbs during mild spells before or during winter. Spring bulbs need at least six weeks of chilling at 40 degrees or colder.

Step-by-step: How to plant bulbs for autumn

Choose a spot with good drainage and at least partial sunlight. Under a deciduous tree is perfect! If you're planting bulbs in a container, keep the container from getting too wet. The bulbs will rot if they freeze solid.
Dig the bulbs at least two times deeper than they are wide. For tulips and daffodils, 2-3 inches deep is usually deep enough. Tulips prefer to be deeper than daffodils.
Place bulbs with their pointed end up, but don't worry if you're unsure. They'll always find their way to the surface.
Add some mulch (preferably fallen leaves) to help maintain moisture and make the bulbs less appetizing for hungry squirrels and raccoons.
Let nature do the rest! The bulbs will establish roots, go dormant over winter and then send up shoots in spring.

By doing this now, you'll be steps ahead when the weather turns and your garden will reward you with early color.

How to force bulbs indoors for winter blooms

Did you know spring bulbs can bloom inside the house? Amaryllis and paperwhites come from mild climates and bloom in spring, but we know them for their Christmas blooms because they're forced into blooming just in time for the holidays. You can also do this with tulips, daffodils and hyacinth if you're looking for a fun project or some springtime cheer during the shortest days of the year.

Indoor forcing process:

Chill the bulbs in a refrigerator at about 40 degrees for six to eight weeks. You can put them in a container with soil or in a paper bag first and then pot them in a container afterward
Move the bulbs into light and warmth. A sunny windowsill is perfect. The bulbs will sprout within two weeks and bloom about 1 month after the sprouts first appear.
After the blooms finish, keep the leaves by a bright window until they all turn brown. Replant them outside in the spring after the last frost.

Have fun. Happy Gardening!