Fall is the only time you should plant spring bulbs as they must be cold vernalized in order to produce a flower. Bulbs like the soil temperature to be between 40-50 degrees when planted. In Maryland this usually hits late Sept – Mid to late November. Waiting until after the first frost never hurts.
Bulbs prefer full to part sun – at least 5-6 hours, adequate drainage, and protection from squirrels.
Work up the soil and add some soil amendment to help bulb roots get a start. Layout bulbs, keeping in mind clumping or random dense scattering looks best. A rule of thumb is to dig the hole 2-3 times the diameter of the bulb in depth. Place a bulb in the hole roots down, pointy end up. If you cannot tell, place the bulb on its side and it will grow correctly.
Use a bulb-tone type fertilizer as too much nitrogen can diminish blooms.
Bulbs we carry – varieties:
Tulips – Tarda, Triumph, and Darwin
Narcissus – Poeticus, Double, Jonquil, and Daffodil
Lycoris
Crocus
Hyacinth
Muscari – grape hyacinth
Snow Drops – Leucojum and Galanthus
Camassia
The Mill also carries Paperwhites, and Amaryllis for indoor planting.