Why You Need to Plant Daffodil Bulbs Right Now for the Best Spring Blooms

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are usually one of the first flowers to emerge in spring. Their iconic golden yellow blooms are a bright and welcome sign of winter coming to an end. But like many other spring-flowering bulbs—including tulips and alliums—it's important to plant daffodil bulbs months in advance, before the ground freezes.

Autumn is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs. Follow these planting tips to ensure you'll have the most beautiful yellow daffodil blossoms in the spring.

When to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is in the fall, typically between September and November, when the soil is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to plant daffodil bulbs around two to four weeks before the first hard frost. This allows them to develop their root system before cold weather arrives.

Daffodils are winter hardy in growing zones 3 to 8. In more northern regions, the best time to plant daffodils is in September or October. If you live in a southern region that doesn't experience a first hard frost until late fall, you can plant daffodils as late as Thanksgiving.

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How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

Before you begin, choose a place in your garden that is well-draining and gets full sun or partial shade. Be sure to plant the daffodils in a spot that receives at least six hours of sun every day—even during the winter months. If the bulbs don't receive enough sunlight, the plants will grow green stems and leaves but may not flower in the spring.

Planting Depth

Plant the daffodil bulbs pointed end up, about 3 to 6 inches deep. If using less compacted soil, you can plant them up to 8 inches deep. Make sure the soil is well-draining. Like most bulbs, daffodils are prone to rotting if the soil is too damp.

Space Between Bulbs

How far apart you plant the daffodil bulbs depends on how full you want the flowers to appear come spring—and how quickly you want to encourage the bulbs to spread. Healthy daffodil bulbs will naturally produce baby bulbs called offsets, which grow alongside the main bulb.

For a fuller look with a more dramatic splash of color, plant the bulbs about 5 inches apart. This will encourage more compact growth. However, if you plant the bulbs closely, you should plan to dig them up every three to five years, as they will multiply, crowd, and compete for water and nutrients, which can affect flowering.

If you want a more permanent display, give the daffodil bulbs more room to grow. Plant the daffodil bulbs about 12 inches apart, which will allow them to fill in the space over the next few years.

What to Plant With Daffodil Bulbs

The best companion plants for daffodils include other similarly fall-planted bulbs like tulips, crocus, alliums, and hyacinths. They will complement each other visually, and you can also plant them at the same time.

Other flowers and shrubs that complement daffodils include:

• Daylilies
• Azaleas
• Rhododendrons
• Forsythia
  

How to Transplant Daffodil Bulbs

If you've noticed your daffodils are crowding or not producing great quality blooms, it may be time to dig them up and relocate them. Or perhaps you just want to mix things up in the garden and bring a bright pop of color somewhere else. Either way, daffodil bulbs are relative easy to transplant.

Daffodil bulbs can be divided and transplanted at almost any point in the year, but the best time to transplant daffodil bulbs is when the foliage is just about gone and the plant is no longer actively growing—typically sometime between late spring to early summer.

Once you've determined it's time to divide and relocate them, follow these steps to transplant daffodil bulbs.

1. Using a shovel or garden trowel, dig into the ground several inches away from the daffodil bulb clump. Never try to remove them by grabbing the greens and pulling hard, which can damage the bulb.
2. Shake off any excess soil on the daffodil bulb clump. Using your hands, carefully twist and separate the bulbs from each other. Remove the leaves and any other debris. Dispose of any bulbs that are damaged, mushy, or rotten.
3. If you're planting the bulbs right away, choose a new site to plant them. Otherwise, you can save the daffodil bulbs until you're ready to plant them in the fall, letting them dry outdoors on newspaper for seven to 10 days before placing them in a mesh bag and storing them in a cool, dry location.
4. Once you are ready to plant the daffodil bulbs, plant them in their new location, following the planting guidelines for spacing and sunlight above. Water them thoroughly, immediately after planting.