Daffodils, Daffodils, and More Daffodils

Daffodils bloom the beginning of April. Last year my daffodils bloomed on April 5th. I've seen them on April 2nd in my U.S. growing zone 5 ...and I got snow the day before! Another year they were a day ahead, on April 1st daffodils are blooming all over town and in my flowerbed :)

You must plan ahead to enjoy the gorgeous yellow blooms of Spring daffodils, because daffodil bulbs are available in the Fall, and need to be planted before the first hard frost. Daffodils require a cold period in order to form roots.

It is best to wait until the outside temperature does not get above 65 degrees anymore. October in my area is the time start planting Daffodils! Light morning frosts will not hurt the planted Daffodil bulbs.

Having the right pH level in your soil is important to bring out the true flower color of Daffodils. The ideal pH level for Daffodil bulbs is between 6 and 7. To check your pH level, bring a soil sample to your local garden center or purchase an inexpensive testing kit

Daffodils are at their best in irregular plantings and random spacing. Overcrowded plantings will reduce the bulbs ability to reproduce more bulbs and flower each year.

Choose a site which receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight each day and is well-drained.

Plant Daffodils 4 - 6" apart and 6" deep.

Water frequently in spring. Cover with mulch in winter. Peat moss, pine needles, leaves, straw or grass cuttings are good materials to use.

Daffodil bulbs are only available during the Fall, after they are harvested in Holland over the summer, inspected and then packed for shipment to the United States. If Daffodil bulbs are not planted within a year after harvesting from Holland, the bulb will have been dormant for too long and its chances of being able to form roots again will be minimal.

After flowering, Daffodils store food in their underground organs so they can grow again the following year. Let the leaves die down naturally, do not cut them off or mow over them. After the Daffodils have bloomed it is important to let them rest because during this period, the bulb is gathering nutrients from the soil and leaves, and growing so that it can bloom again next year.