Planting Tulips: Location And Proper Care In The Garden

Tulpen pflanzen

Tulips should be planted in the fall, so that they form flowers in the spring. Especially important is the location and the soil. We show you what you need to consider when planting tulip bulbs.

Planting tulips: Late autumn is ideal


You must plant the tulip bulbs at the right time, otherwise you will wait in vain for the flowers next year. The problem is that if there are late summer temperatures again in the fall, the tulip bulbs will sprout before then. But this is much too early in the fall, because in the winter the plant will die.

It is best to plant the tulip bulbs only when the temperatures are permanently between 0 and 10 degrees.
A good time is usually early to mid-November.
Tip: If you have not planted tulip bulbs in the fall, you can buy pre-sprouted bulbs in the spring. However, these should not be planted deep in the ground. Instead, a small bit should still stick out at the top.

Location for tulips: sunny place and loose soil.

Standort für Tulpen: Hauptsache sonnig

The following criteria you should consider when choosing a location:

Sunny place: tulips love direct sun. Even a partial shade location will ensure that the tulips do not grow as large.
Sandy soil: In order for the tulip bulbs not to mold, the water must be able to drain off well. Therefore, a very loose and sandy soil is ideal.

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Instructions: How to plant tulips correctly

  • Maintain spacing: Tulips need plenty of space – you should plant large bulbs between 10 and 20 inches apart, and smaller tulip bulbs just under 10 inches apart.
  • Plant deep: Plant the tulip bulbs about twice as deep as they are tall. So, theoretically, there should be room above them for exactly one more bulb.
  • Plant tulips upright: The top of the bulb must point upward for the plants to develop properly.
  • Watering tulips: After planting the bulb, fill the hole with soil and pour some water over it. When the tulips are in bloom and it rains rarely, you should water the tulips every now and then.
  • Fertilize naturally: You can fertilize the tulips naturally with compost and protect them from frost with bark mulch.
  • Tulip bulbs care and oversummering


Tulips are very easy to care for. Still, there are a few things you can do to make it easier on the tulips:

  • Winter: You can protect the bulbs from frost with bark mulch and pine branches.
  • Spring: As soon as the first flowers appear, you can sprinkle homemade fertilizer over the plants.
  • Summer: When the tulips have faded, you should cut off the wilted flowers. The leaves will be shed or retracted by the plant over time. Then you can dig up the bulb, cut off any remaining leaves, and “over-summer” the bulb in a box of dry sand over the summer. In this case, the onion must be in the dark at temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees.
  • Predators: voles and slugs have it in for the tulips. If you have problems with voles, wire screens are a good protection for the tulips. Slugs only attack the leaves, you can easily pick them off.
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  • James Jones

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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