Why Now is the Time to Think About Your Spring Garden

Usually, in September I'm over the garden. I'm looking forward to building the first fire and digging out my favorite sweater. Meanwhile, the AC is still on full blast and I'm cursing every ninety-degree day. 

But as a gardener, I'm not just focusing on fall cleanup and putting the garden to bed because right now is the best time to think about next March.

Is there anything better than that first daffodil or a bed of tulips? 

Late summer is prime time to be ordering your bulbs for your spring planting. Bulb companies start to ship in September and often sell out of their most popular stock if you wait too late. For many years by the time I was ready to think about a spring garden the things I wanted most were already sold out. 

Planting is less restrictive. I have planted bulbs as late as the week of Christmas when it was spitting snow, but now make a reminder for myself in my calendar to get it done much earlier. I like to get it done in October but If we have a warm fall I push it back a bit because you want the soil temperature to have cooled down by the time you plant your bulbs. 

You have a lot of leeway about when you can plant but order your bulbs sooner rather than later so you don't miss out on the best selection.

Don't know what to buy? Read The 5 Decisions You Need to Make Before You Buy Your First Plant. 

Bees need those first spring blossoms when they are gearing up baby bee and honey production in the spring. Here are some good choices for bees:

• crocus.
• daffodils.
• grape hyacinths (Muscari)
• hyacinths.
• iris.
• Siberian squill (Scilla siberica)

The Takeaway: 

Plan next year's spring garden. 

Order bulbs in September, companies ship at the correct time for planting in your area. 

Plant when the soil temperature starts to cool, anytime in the fall.