Avoid placing bulbs in contact with fertilizers, fresh manure or organic matter, which may cause them to rot. Bulbs need moisture as they grow, but placing them in ill-drained soil will cause them to rot. The planting depth should be three or four times the height of the bulb, or about six to eight inches for larger cultivars and four to six inches for miniatures. In rich and porous soil, going half an inch or so deeper will help the bulbs multiply more vigorously. A bulb planted upside down will correct the indignity by expending reserves.
Daffodils look best in clumps.
The standard recommended distance between bulbs is six to eight inches. Many daffodil growers spread a fertilizer on top of the ground after planting or later in the fall. Use slow-release fertilizers formulated for spring bulbs. During winter, a layer of wood ashes from the fireplace is always welcome. Watering the area after planting encourages roots to develop before the ground freezes.