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Can you plant bulbs too deep? Experts warn against this mistake

Pabio November 8, 2024

The bulbs may be small, but they are definitely powerful. Filled with enough energy to create stunning flowers at different times of the year, these dormant underground food storage organs can appear spectacularly above ground in just a few months. But when it comes to planting, can you plant bulbs too deep?

Of course, knowing how to plant bulbs is the key to successful flowering next year. But while many people focus on timing and soil quality, the depth at which you plant your bulbs can also make or break your growth. garden ideas. So this is something to consider if you want to equip your garden with tulips, daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, hyacinths or perhaps some of the best bulbs for perfume.

In an effort to determine whether or not you can plant bulbs too deeply, we reached out to gardening experts to get their take on how deep to plant bulbs.

Can you plant bulbs too deep?

Yes, it is possible to plant the bulbs too deeply. Like Morris Hankinson, managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseriesexplains: “It is important to plant the bulbs at the correct depth to ensure they grow well. Bulbs should be planted so that they have enough heat, humidity and light to allow them to grow and eventually flower.

Planting bulbs is actually a bit of a story Goldilocks and the Three Bears; you need to get the slurry (i.e. planting depth) right just what is needed. If you plant them too shallowly, Tony Williams, Estates Director at Mount Ephraim Gardenssays this will “expose the bulbs to climate stress and pests.” In fact, it will make them extremely vulnerable to hunger. squirrels wanting to dig up your bulbs.

Potted spring bulbs (or a bulb lasagna)

(Image credit: Getty Images/Jackie Bale)

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, the only specialist grower and retailer of hedging plants in the UK. He established this successful business in 1992, shortly after completing a degree in commercial horticulture from Writtle College, Essex.

What will happen if you plant your bulbs too deep?

If you plant your bulbs too deeply, chances are you won’t notice your mistake until spring, when you’re waiting for your flowers to emerge. During this time, you might spot one (or more) of these issues:

1. Stunted growth

If your spring or summer flowering bulbs don’t arrive when expected, you probably planted them too deep. After all, a deeply planted bulb must use more energy than it has stored to reach the soil surface.

As a result, it may not appear at all. Ideally, it will be able to use enough stored energy to come out of the soil, but not enough to produce flowers. So you will only be able to enjoy the foliage.

It may be that soak your bulbs can help prevent this stunted growth, but it is not always guaranteed.

Two flower bulbs placed on a box next to garden twine

(Image credit: Future/MichelleGarrett)

2. Late flowering

Another symptom of planting your bulbs too deep is late flowering. In this case, you should still be able to enjoy the delights of your flowers, but you may have to wait a little longer to see them.

As Tony explains: “If a bulb is planted deeper than recommended, it may struggle to break through the soil to reach the surface, resulting in stunted growth or weaker, smaller plants. »

This is why make sure plant the bulbs at the right time is even more important.

Tony Williams

Tony is a passionate and experienced gardener who has worked in horticulture at various sites including Canterbury Cathedral. He is extremely interested in sustainable gardening and strives to avoid polluting chemicals in fertilizers and pest control. It is dedicated to preserving natural resources and reducing water waste as much as possible.

3. Bulb rot

If you want your the bulbs come back year after yearyou have to take care of it. Unfortunately, planting bulbs too deep can be disastrous for them and cause devastating bulb rot.

Bulb rot is a disease often caused by excess moisture, which will affect your bulbs if they are planted too deep in particularly heavy, waterlogged soil. Over time, this disease will turn the roots into mush.

In extreme cases, this will kill the bulb and the plant. If it survives bulb rot, your plant may have yellow leaves and experience stunted growth.

How deep should bulbs be planted?

There are many golden rules in the world of gardening, from the rule of thirds when pruning shrubs and small trees to water your garden more abundantly but less frequently (instead of little and often). Another reason is that you should generally expect to plant bulbs at three times their depth.

This is a useful rule to remember if you want to add a few bulbs to your garden. Simply measure the bulb from base to tip, then triple it to determine how deep you need to dig.

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the case across the board, and as Tony says, “depth tolerance varies depending on bulb type.”

Person holding a light bulb against a trowel with a measuring guide on it

(Image credit: Future/Nicola Stocken)

Morris adds: “Always check the planting instructions when buying bulbs, but as a general rule, smaller bulbs such as crocus And snowdrop should be planted two to three times the height of the bulb, and larger bulbs such as tulips And alliums should be planted three to four times the height of the bulb. Daffodils should be planted three times the height of the bulb in depth.

Although it is indeed possible to plant bulbs too deeply, most experts agree that it is always better to plant deeper than to plant shallower to protect them from scavengers and the cold. Just make sure you don’t overdo it.

Fortunately, there is a way to ensure that you plant bulbs correctly. Morris advises: “Use a bulb planter that has measurements or a trowel and stick to mark the depth. »

Kent & Stowe Large Stainless Steel Hand Planter

FAQs

Can you plant bulbs the wrong way?

When planting bulbs you should always aim to plant them with the pointed end to ensure an easy path up to the soil surface.

However, it may not be the end of the world if you plant the bulbs the wrong way, as a bulb will always rise to the surface eventually. However, you may have delayed flowering if you do this.

If you are unsure which direction to plant your bulbs, you can plant them sideways, which is a good compromise.

What happens if bulbs are planted too deep?

If you plant the bulbs too shallow, there’s a good chance they won’t survive the winter months. Without enough soil to cover them, vulnerable bulbs will be exposed to cold and frost. Ultimately, this will affect their growth.

At the same time, planting bulbs too shallow will also make them vulnerable to squirrels, who will then dig up your bulbs and eat them.

Either way, planting bulbs too shallow often means you won’t be able to enjoy your flowers in next year’s garden.