Tag: Growing Daffodils

Tips for Growing Daffodils

You know it is spring time when Daffodils start to bloom! It’s sometimes the first sign that spring is on the way. Even in colder climates, they can break through the cold, sometimes frozen soil and signal the impending season!

Do you wonder how your neighbor gets their daffodils looking great? What can you do to get your daffodils to grow? It doesn’t seem like it would be hard to do. You just plant and water them right? Unfortunately, there are more tips for growing the perfect daffodil.

You need to plan ahead

Daffodils are not planted in the spring. Instead, they need the cold soil of the winter to help them grow. Plant them in the winter months to make sure they are in bloom for spring. However, you don’t want to plant them when the soil is frozen. Make sure the soil is still workable. Any time around September or a bit later should be perfect!

Daffodils like sun

Make sure to plant your bulbs in a sunny spot. If they are in too much shade, they will grow their leaves but you won’t get the actual flower. They also need to be in an area that lets the soil drain when watered. If the water doesn’t drain well, the bulbs can rot and will not grow.

When to plant them

Once you have chosen what type of daffodils to plant, it’s time to plant them. As mentioned above, pick a spot that gets a lot of sun and provides plenty of water drainage. Each bulb needs to be planted 6 to 8 inches blow ground level to make sure it roots properly. If you have a lot of bulbs to plant, you can make a trench and place each bulb in a row. Don’t forget to place the pointy end up. After you have filled your trench, make sure to give them plenty of water before you cover them.

Watering

Speaking of watering, bulbs do not require much watering. Water them when you plant them and then once a week for 3 weeks. After that, you can leave them alone until spring. Once you see they have sprouted, it’s time to water them daily. If you are in an area where it rains a lot, you won’t actually have to water them! They can go 2 or 3 days without water.

When you notice the daffodil flowers start to fall off, it is time to stop watering them. Daffodils are perennial, which means they will come back year after year. When they start to turn brown, it means that they are preparing to go dormant. If you water them at this stage, the bulbs may begin to rot.

If you use these tips to grow your daffodils, you will be rewarded with a beautiful flower garden come spring. All it takes is a little planning and your efforts will pay off.