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. The more root development there is, the faster the takeoff in the spring.
Many bulb growers add a layer of mulch such as pine bark, pine needles, leafmold or buckwheat hulls.
Mulch moderates soil temperature, retains moisture and discourages weeds. The toughest part of growing daffodils is choosing from hundreds of cultivars. Yellow and white are the traditional colors, but in the past decade the spectrum has been extended to pinks. The latest cultivars boast brilliant, non-fading pink cups tending toward red. Breeders also have produced flower forms that no longer look like daffodils.