Can You Still Plant Daffodils In Spring—Or Is It Too Late?

Gardeners are known for biting off more than they can chew. Between falling in love with every plant we see and our busy schedules, this sometimes ends badly. A six-pack of annuals fries in the sun before we can plant them, seeds never make it into pots, and bulbs never get into the ground. Or we simply forget that we shoved a bag of daffodil bulbs in the back of the fridge, only to discover it months later.

If you never got around to planting your bulbs, you may be wondering if it’s too late to do so now. You can get away with planting daffodils in spring instead of fall, but you’ll have different results. Here’s what to know about planting daffodils in spring.

Can You Plant Daffodils In Spring?

You absolutely can plant healthy daffodil bulbs in the spring, but don’t expect them to bloom. While green foliage should emerge from the ground within a couple of weeks of planting, the flowers usually don’t appear until the following year. This is because daffodils need a chilling period of 12 to 15 weeks to spur blooming. Your basement or garage probably didn’t maintain a cold enough temperature to meet this need.

However, if you stored your daffodils in the refrigerator for several months, bulb seller Dutch Grown says you could luck out and get flowers. The bulbs must be planted by late winter or early spring in order to have a chance to bloom.

At this point, most daffodils are already starting to bloom in the South, so yours are behind schedule. You might get a few flowers in April or May. It’s also possible you missed the window for this year.

Should You Wait Until Fall To Plant Daffodils?

Still, don’t wait to plant your daffodil bulbs, gambling that they’ll survive until the fall. If you continue to store your bulbs aboveground, they are likely to dry out and die. Why let them go to waste? Go ahead and plant your daffodils now in a nice, sunny spot where they can develop a strong root system. Next year, you’ll have a cheerful daffodil patch to enjoy.

How To Plant Daffodils In Spring

No matter what month you’re planting, daffodil bulbs will not sprout if they are dead or rotten. This is a common occurrence when bulbs sit around for months. If a bulb feels mushy or like a dry, hollow husk, go ahead and throw it out. Pest-infested bulbs can also fail to grow or produce stunted plants. Pick through your bulbs and separate out the firm and healthy ones for planting.

Daffodils will rot in soggy soil, so choose a spot in full sun with good drainage. Mix in compost if it’s needed to improve soil drainage. Dig a hole deep enough to bury the bulbs at a depth that is twice their height. Sprinkle some organic bulb fertilizer in the bottom of the hole, then place the bulbs 3 to 4 inches apart with the pointy ends facing up. Fill the hole in with soil and add a thin layer of mulch on top for insulation. If the soil is fairly dry, water your new bulb garden.

Now all you have to do is wait and see the results of your experiment. Appreciate the fine, healthy foliage this spring, knowing you’ll enjoy daffodil flowers in future years.