An Easy Guide to Growing Tulips
Not many flowers are quite as beloved as the tulip. Blooming from early April through early-mid May here in Greater Philadelphia (depending on both the specific variety and the weather), tulips are versatile, beautiful, and—best of all—blissfully easy to grow for gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.
Where to Buy Bulbs
Be sure to check out our comprehensive list of favorite suppliers, but it’s worth noting that tulip bulbs are ideally ordered in the summer months; by the fall, most of the coveted varieties from the best sources have already sold out. That said, if you’re a little late to the bulb buying game this year, the good news is that many of the online retailers begin selling at a steep discount starting in early-mid November, so you’re likely to score some good deals!
When to Plant
In Greater Philadelphia, it’s recommended to plant tulip bulbs anytime between mid-October and early December. I typically plant mine right around Thanksgiving. In order to bloom properly in the spring, tulips require a period of about 12 to 16 weeks of cold weather, which is why it’s best to get them nestled in prior to mid-December; this is also why they don’t grow well in climates much warmer than ours in Greater Philadelphia. You’ll also want to ensure you’re able to dig the trench for them prior to the ground freezing (ask us how we know!).
How to Plant
Choose a relatively sunny spot in your garden and dig a hole or trench approximately six inches deep.
For most home gardeners, it’s recommended to plant the tulip bulbs about four inches apart, as this distance will not only create an attractive landscape, but it will also give them the best likelihood of coming back year after year. Flower farmers, by contrast, typically plant them “shoulder to shoulder” (nearly touching) to conserve space in the garden.
When placing them in the ground, it’s recommended to have the “pointy” side of the tulip bulb facing up. Even if they’re placed sideways or upside down, they typically will still grow just fine, but this makes it a bit easier for them and gives them the best possible chance.
Cover the area back up with soil, and consider adding a balanced bulb fertilizer to the top of the soil. (Do NOT add fertilizer to the area around the bulbs underground—it could burn and damage them.)
Water them well that same day.
And now we wait! Tulips and other fall-planted bulbs are incredibly low-maintenance compared to most other flowers. There is no need to “do” anything to them over the winter.
If you’re growing in Greater Philadelphia, you may see the earliest varieties begin peeking their leaves through the ground in early-mid March; these will then bloom around early April, on average. In general, tulips do not need to be watered in the spring, though if we go through an extended dry period once they have emerged from the ground, they can benefit from a deep soaking water once per week. Some later varieties won’t begin peeking through the ground until later in April, for early May (ish) blooms. Tulips are highly weather-dependent, so their bloom schedule will depend heavily on the outside temperature and quantity of rain. The warmer and rainier it is, the earlier we get to enjoy tulips!
Photography by Ashley Meier
