If you want to enjoy colorful carpets of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths blooming in your New Jersey garden next spring, proper planning and timing is key. Knowing the ideal timeframes to plant spring-flowering bulbs in the Garden State climate is important for success
In this article, we’ll explore the best times and techniques for planting bulbs in New Jersey to ensure glorious spring displays year after year.
Why Fall Planting is Best for Bulbs
Spring-blooming flower bulbs like tulips daffodils crocuses and hyacinths require a period of cool dormancy to initiate flowering. By planting bulbs in the fall, they have time to establish roots before the ground freezes. The chill of winter convinces the bulbs it’s time to wake up and bloom when warmer weather returns. This makes fall the optimal season for planting bulbs in New Jersey.
When to Plant Flower Bulbs in New Jersey
Aim to plant bulbs in New Jersey between early October and early November. Here are some tips on ideal timing:
-
Plant early bloomers like crocuses and grape hyacinths in early October.
-
Plant mid-season bloomers like tulips and daffodils in late October.
-
Plant late bloomers like alliums and lilies in early November.
-
Finish all bulb planting before the ground freezes, usually by mid-November.
Stagger planting times to ensure continuous spring blooms. You can continue planting even during light frosts – just wait until the ground thaws.
Signs It’s Time to Plant Bulbs
Beyond the calendar dates, watch for these signs indicating planting time:
-
Daytime highs averaging 60-70°F and nighttime lows near 40°F.
-
Leaves beginning to change color and drop.
-
Grass growth slowing down.
-
No extreme cold snaps expected for a few weeks.
-
Soil temperature around 60°F or below 6 inches deep.
Ideal bulb planting time aligns with other fall garden tasks like clearing beds, adding organic matter, and preparing new planting areas before winter dormancy.
Where to Plant Bulbs in New Jersey
Spring bulbs thrive in all regions of New Jersey, which lies in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-7. Choose a planting site that receives:
-
Full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
-
Well-drained soil – avoid soggy areas.
-
Shelter from harsh winds – next to a wall, fence or shrubs.
-
Proper spacing for growth – with room to spread.
Amend soil with compost or fertilizer to provide nutrition. Bulbs can be planted in beds, borders, pots, rock gardens or under trees.
How Deep to Plant Flower Bulbs
Most bulbs are planted at a depth 2-3 times their height:
-
Large bulbs like tulips and daffodils: 6-8 inches deep
-
Small bulbs like crocuses and grape hyacinths: 3-4 inches deep
-
Exception is lilies planted 4-6 inches deep regardless of size
Deeper planting prevents bulbs from heaving upwards during freeze-thaw cycles. Add a layer of mulch over planted bulbs to further protect from winter conditions.
Techniques for Proper Bulb Planting
Follow these tips for planting success:
-
Loosen soil and mix in compost or fertilizer.
-
Space bulbs properly for mature plant size.
-
Dig holes to recommended depth based on bulb type.
-
Place bulbs root side down, pointy side up in holes.
-
Backfill holes and firm soil around bulbs.
-
Water thoroughly after planting.
-
Top with 2-4 inches of mulch to insulate soil.
Proper spacing, depth, positioning and soil preparation prevents diseases and encourages vigor.
Ongoing Care After Planting Bulbs
-
Water bulbs during fall dry spells so roots establish before freezing.
-
Remove faded flowers in spring but keep foliage until it dies back naturally.
-
Let foliage fully ripen about 6 weeks after blooming to nourish the bulb for next year.
-
Fertilize bulbs as growth emerges in early spring.
-
Mulch beds yearly with compost to replenish nutrients and organic matter.
-
Lift and divide overcrowded bulbs after a few years to maintain blooming.
Proper planting care will keep bulbs returning and spreading year after year.
Common Questions About Planting Bulbs in New Jersey
When is the absolute last time I can plant bulbs?
You can squeeze in planting for a few weeks after the recommended fall planting window, up until the ground freezes solid, usually by late November or December.
Can I plant bulbs in pots instead of the ground?
Yes, bulbs do very well grown in containers. Use a pot with drainage holes, quality potting mix and follow general planting guidelines.
Should I cut back bulb foliage before it totally dies?
No, let the foliage die back naturally over 6+ weeks after blooming. The leaves produce energy the bulb needs to store for next year’s growth.
Can I transplant bulbs from one spot to another?
It’s best to plant bulbs where you want them to keep growing year after year. But you can carefully dig up and transplant bulbs after foliage has died back if needed.
What bulbs return and spread reliably in New Jersey?
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses and alliums are excellent perennial bulbs for New Jersey gardens. Less hardy amaryllis and lilies may need replanting.
Enjoy Years of Colorful Blooms
By properly preparing your garden space and planting bulbs during the optimal fall window, you can enjoy vibrant floral displays emerging every spring in your New Jersey landscape.
Follow the guidelines provided here for when to plant which bulb varieties, how deep to plant them, and how to care for them after planting. With the right timing and care, bulbs will thrive for years, providing some of the first welcome colors after winter.
Unlock Year-Round Beauty with the Help of a Seasonal Planting Guide
A seasonal planting guide is an invaluable tool for maintaining a beautiful landscape year-round. It makes sure that your garden stays colorful and appealing from season to season by giving you specific advice for each season. A good guide will help your garden do well all year, whether you’re choosing bright annuals for summer, hardy perennials for fall, or evergreen shrubs for winter interest.
The skilled staff at Borst Landscape Call us at (201) 822-9327 or use our website to set up a free consultation and start working on your dream garden right away!
The US is divided by the USDA into different hardiness planting zones. These zones are based on climate, average temperatures, sunlight, rainfall, and geographical features like elevation and distance from bodies of water. The latest USDA plant hardiness map takes all these factors into account, including the urban heat effect.
In Bergen County, the Northwest corner falls within Zone 6a, while the Eastern part falls in Zone 6b. Planting and growing seasons typically extend from mid-March, after the last frost, through mid-November in these zones. When picking plants for your garden or landscape, use the seasonal planting guide for Zone 6 to make sure they will grow well and be able to handle the conditions where they are.
Planting Guide for Each Season
In early spring, everything in your landscape begins to grow at a faster rate. Spring sunshine and warm weather bring new buds to flowers and new leaves to plants and trees.
As plants grow quickly in the spring, it’s also the best time to plant bulbs, annuals, and perennials that will bloom all summer, fall, and even winter.
Here are some seasonal planting guide tips for the spring season.
- African Marigolds—African marigolds have orange, yellow, and cream round blooms that are 3 inches across. Some types can grow up to three feet tall, but dwarf types can only grow up to one foot tall. The dark green leaves that grow on top of the flowers are always clean, fresh, and neat.
- Begonias—Begonias are spring plants that are easy to grow and do well in a wide range of landscape conditions. Begonias need light shade, rich, well-drained soil, lots of water, and fertilizer to keep their blooms bright.
- Sunrise Bush Morning Glory—This plant looks great in flower beds and window boxes. It has flowers that look like trumpets and are jewel-tone blue, pink, and white. It only gets about two feet tall, so it’s a good plant for outside the fence.
- Pansy—Plant pansies in early-season pots and window boxes as one of the best annuals to do in the spring. There are many bright colors to choose from, and they will instantly make your landscape look better.
Begonias, primroses, pansies, and calendula are all cool-season annuals that do best when the weather is mild and the soil is cool in the spring and fall.
When the weather turns hot, cool-season annuals set seed and deteriorate, but most will survive fairly heavy frost. In Bergen County, cool-season annuals should be planted in early spring.
To develop vigorous blooms, roots, and foliage must develop during cool weather.
If you want to see impatiens, marigolds, and zinnias flower, you should plant them in late spring, summer, or early fall.
If warm-season annuals are planted too early in the spring, they can die in a late frost. In places where it gets cold in the winter, like Northern New Jersey, warm-season annuals should only be planted after all danger of frost has passed.
For bright summer flowers, plant summer-blooming bulbs early in the spring. These include callas, dahlias, gladiolas, liatris, and lilies.
Your yard will look beautiful with all of these summer-blooming bulbs, which come in bright shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, lavender, and purple.
While most of these flower types don’t get very tall, they look great with shorter plants because they add height.
Plant summer-blooming vines against fences, retainer walls, and trellises in Bergen County to add a splash of color to your yard this summer.
Trumpet vines will add a burst of vivid red, orange, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Hydrangea vines will provide a softer look with flowers that range from white to pink.
For more options for summer-blooming vines, check your seasonal planting guide for planting zone 6 in Bergen County.
You should plant bare-root roses in Northern NJ in the spring, as soon as the ground is warm enough to work.
Soak the roots in water for 8 to 12 hours before planting to make them fresh. Then, submerge the whole plant to make the canes fresh.
After soaking, trim off any damaged or diseased roots before planting. Potted roses are the easiest to plant because you have a plant that is already growing. Potted roses can be planted in the spring right after you buy them.
If you want to add needle-leafed evergreens to your landscape, plant them in late spring.
Needle-leafed evergreens, such as pines, firs, cypress, and spruce, will give your landscape a lot of texture, especially in the fall and winter when it might otherwise look a bit empty.
Talk to your landscape professional about seasonal planting guide tips for adding needle-leafed evergreen to your yard.
