Fall is a great time for planting trees, wildflower seeds, and especially flower bulbs. Bulbs planted in the fall have more time to lay down roots and make themselves at home in your garden soil, which allows them to bloom earlier and stronger their very first spring.

Just remember a few super-easy tips to help you make the most of your fall planting experience:

Soil Quality

Soil quality is critical, because soil that stays too wet will cause most bulbs to rot very quickly. Well-drained soil is best—amend dense clay soils with rich organic materials like peat, sphagnum, or compost. A near neutral to very slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is best for most bulbs.

Planting Time

Plant after the first frost, but don’t wait too late. You want to allow your bulbs to start establishing a good root system before hard winter. Mail-order bulbs usually must be planted immediately. You may have to store nursery bulbs for a while, until planting time, because we all like to buy early to make sure we get the best bulbs.

Planting Depth

Depth is crucial when planting bulbs, and always plant pointy end up. Plant them 3-4 times as deep as the height of the bulb—for larger bulbs, no more than about 8 inches up to about 3 inches for smaller bulbs. Add a complete slow-release fertilizer before replacing soil and, if conditions are dry, add plenty of water.