Here's how to plant tulip bulbs in the fall for an unbelievable show next spring. Select tulip varieties and types by flower color and form, local adaptation, and bloom time. Purchase high-quality bulbs, free of bruises or soft spots.
Good sources are local nurseries, as well as Web sites and mail-order catalogs.
Plant in late summer to early fall in cold-winter climates. Plant in late fall to early winter in mild-winter climates. This provides the bulbs with the amount of cold necessary to trigger top performance. Select a sunny planting location. Prepare the soil, if necessary, by incorporating ample organic matter.