Last Call for Spring Beauty: Get Your Bulbs in the Ground Before It's Too Late
If you've been thinking about planting spring bulbs but keep putting it off — this is it. You've got until the end of October, maybe the first few days of November if you're lucky, to get them in the ground and set yourself up for a gorgeous spring display.
With a few decent tools and some straightforward advice, you can still get your bulbs planted properly and give them what they need to do well.
Why October Is Your Deadline
In most of the UK, October works brilliantly for spring bulb planting. The soil's still easy to work with, we're getting rain and it's cool enough that bulbs won't sprout early but warm enough for roots to establish.
Plant now and your bulbs will settle before winter properly arrives — which means they'll be ready to flower at exactly the right time next year.
What to Plant This Month
Here are the spring bulbs that do best when planted in October. All of them look fantastic in borders or containers, and you'll be glad you planted them when everything else is still looking bare.
Bulb Type | Flowering Time | Sun Preference
Crocuses | February–March | Full sun
Daffodils | March–April | Full sun or light shade
Hyacinths | March–April | Full sun or partial shade
Muscari | March–April | Full sun or partial shade
Tulips | April–May | Full sun preferred
Alliums | May–June | Full sun
One thing worth doing: mix varieties that flower at different times, from February right through to June. Layer them in your beds or pots and you'll have something blooming for months instead of just a couple of weeks.
The Right Tools Make All the Difference
Planting bulbs can be hard work if you're doing it wrong. These tools take the strain out of it.
Bulb Planters
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Garland Long-Handled Bulb Planter – Good for bigger beds and lawns. Lets you work standing up instead of crouching, which saves your back.
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Garland Short-Handled Planter – Better for smaller areas where you need more control.
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Growers Own Hand Bulb Planter – Lightweight and well-made. Does exactly what you need without costing a fortune.
Twist slightly as you push down — it cuts through soil more cleanly and the core comes out easier.
Kneeling Pads
Our Growers Own kneeling pads make a real difference once the ground gets cold and wet. No more damp knees or stiff joints.
Trugs
Our garden trugs are tough but flexible. Great for shifting compost, clearing out dead plants or moving your bulbs from the shed to the garden without juggling armfuls.
Planting Depths
The general rule is two to three times the bulb's height.
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Daffodils & tulips: around 10–15cm
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Crocuses & muscari: about 5–8cm
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Alliums: roughly 15cm
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Hyacinths: 10cm
Always plant pointy-end up, then press the soil back down once they're in place.
Where Should They Go?
Pick spots with:
Good light — especially early spring sun
Decent drainage — avoid anywhere that gets waterlogged
Room to spread — daffodils and muscari particularly will come back stronger each year
For a natural look, plant in odd numbers. Scatter them before you start digging so the arrangement doesn't look too formal.
Before You Start
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Water after planting if the soil's dry, but don't overdo it — autumn rain will handle the rest.
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Using containers? Put them on pot feet so drainage stays good through winter.
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Don't feed bulbs now — wait until spring when they start growing.
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Label varieties now if you want to remember what's planted where.
Time to Get Planting
October might be getting colder, but your garden's spring colour is just waiting to happen.
Whether you're after golden daffodils, striking alliums or bright tulips, now's when you need to plant them. And with proper tools, the job's not just easier — it's actually quite satisfying.
Have a look at our full range of bulb planters, kneeling pads and trugs at [Creation Garden Supplies] here
Your spring starts today.