Summer Cheer Daffodil

Daffodil bulbs are planted in fall, chill through winter, and bloom the following spring. Unpack your bulbs as soon as they arrive and store them in a cool, dry, dark spot until you are ready to plant.

Planting

1. Pick your spot. Choose a site with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; avoid low areas where water collects, since standing water rots bulbs.
2. Loosen the soil. Work the top 8-10 inches of soil and mix in compost if your ground is heavy clay.
3. Set the depth. Plant bulbs 6 inches deep, pointed tip up and flat basal plate down.
4. Space in groups. Space bulbs 4-6 inches apart and plant in clusters of five or more for the fullest display.
5. Water in. Backfill, firm the soil gently, and water once to settle the bulbs and start root growth.

Watering

• Fall and spring. Keep soil lightly moist while roots and shoots are active, about an inch of water per week including rainfall.
• After bloom. Taper off watering once the foliage yellows; dormant bulbs prefer dry soil through summer.

Feeding

• At planting. Mix a low-nitrogen bulb fertilizer or bone meal into the planting hole.
• Each spring. Scatter a balanced granular fertilizer as shoots emerge and water it in.

After Blooming

• Deadhead only. Snip spent flowers to keep things tidy, but leave the leaves alone.
• Let foliage ripen. Allow the leaves to yellow naturally for about six weeks so the bulb recharges for next year.
• Mulch lightly. A 2-inch mulch layer moderates soil temperature and holds moisture.

Forcing Indoors

• Pot and chill. Plant bulbs in a container with drainage, then chill at 35-45 degrees F for 12-14 weeks.
• Bring into light. Move the pot to a bright, cool room and water lightly; blooms follow in about three to four weeks.

How many bulbs come in a pack and what size are they?

Each pack contains 5 bulbs sized 13-15 cm, a top-size grade that produces strong first-year blooms.

When should I plant these bulbs?

Plant in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes, so the bulbs get the winter chilling they need to bloom in early to mid spring (typically March-April).

Are daffodils deer and rabbit resistant?

Yes. Daffodils contain compounds that deer, rabbits, and most rodents avoid, which makes them one of the most reliable bulbs for browsed gardens.

Are daffodil bulbs toxic to pets?

Yes, all parts of the daffodil, especially the bulb, are toxic if eaten by dogs, cats, or livestock. Plant where curious pets cannot dig them up.

Will they come back every year?

They are perennial in zones 4-9 and return each spring, multiplying into larger clumps over time as long as you let the foliage die back naturally.

What should I plant them with?

Pair them with summer-blooming perennials such as daylilies, hostas, or coneflowers, whose new growth covers the fading daffodil foliage.