If you garden in London, Ontario, the short answer is this: plant spring bulbs from late September through October, and keep going into early November if the ground is still workable. For most people, the sweet spot is the first three weeks of October.
That’s the quick version. Below is how to fine-tune it for your yard, your bulbs and your fall weather.
Why Timing Matters for Bulbs
Spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils and crocuses need two things from fall.
First, time to grow roots. A bulb planted in fall isn’t sleeping. It’s quietly building a root system while the soil is still cool but not frozen. Those roots anchor the plant and gather moisture, so the flowers can pop in spring.
Second, a long stretch of cold. Most spring bulbs need weeks of winter chill to bloom properly. Skip that, and you often get leaves but weak or missing flowers.
Timing is a balancing act:
- Plant too early and warm soil can fool the bulb into sending up green shoots that winter then damages.
- Plant too late (after the ground freezes) and the roots never get going.
Use Soil Temperature, Not Just the Calendar
The best signal is soil temperature. Wait until the soil at planting depth has cooled to about 15°C (60°F) or lower. Growers commonly suggest nighttime temperatures holding around 4 to 10°C (40 to 50°F). And most bulbs benefit from roughly six weeks of cool soil before the ground freezes.
Air and soil aren’t the same thing. Even after a crisp September morning, the ground 10 to 15 cm down can still be warm. A cheap soil thermometer takes the guesswork out. Push it in to planting depth in the morning and check that it reads 15°C or below.
What’s Fall Like in London?
London sits in roughly hardiness zone 6, and its average first fall frost lands in early October. Different sources put it between about October 1 and 10. That means the soil is normally cool enough for bulbs starting in late September, and the ground usually stays workable well into November. Frost dates are averages, and any given year can run early or late, so watch the weather instead of the date alone.
Best Time to Plant by Bulb Type
Many gardening guides plant small bulbs first, then larger ones, and tulips last. Here’s how that sequence fits London:
| Bulb type | Best window in London | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crocus, snowdrops, scilla, grape hyacinth | Late September to early October | Small bulbs, planted first |
| Daffodils, hyacinths, alliums, fritillaria | October | Squirrels usually leave daffodils and alliums alone |
| Tulips | Mid-October to early November | Later planting is popular, and they still root well |
| Any of the above if you’re late | Until the ground freezes | Bloom may be a little weaker |
Use the table as a guide, not a strict rule. If you buy bulbs in mid-September, store them somewhere cool and dark, and plant when the soil cools.
What If You’re Late?
Don’t panic. You can plant bulbs as long as the soil isn’t frozen. A bulb planted in mid-November still has a fair chance of rooting before winter, and some gardeners plant even later, whenever the ground can be worked. The bigger risk is a bulb left in the bag, so a late planting beats no planting.
If a hard freeze does hit before you’re done, you can usually chip through with a bulb planter or pick a sunny, sheltered spot where the soil thaws first.
How to Plant Bulbs Step by Step
- Pick a sunny spot. Aim for about six hours of direct sun in spring, when the plants are growing and flowering. Tulips especially need it.
- Check drainage. Bulbs rot in soggy soil. Skip low spots where water pools, and mix compost into heavy clay, which is common in the London area.
- Dig to the right depth. A good rule of thumb is two to three times the bulb’s height, which works out to roughly 5 to 6 inches for tulips and daffodils. Small bulbs like crocus go shallower, around 3 inches.
- Plant pointy end up. If you can’t tell, plant the bulb on its side. It will find its way up.
- Space them out. Plant in groups of 10 or more for a fuller look, and set bulbs a few inches apart. Clumps look better than straight lines.
- Water in. Give the bed a good soak after planting to settle the soil and start root growth.
- Mulch. After the first hard frost, add 2 to 3 inches of shredded leaves or bark to even out temperature swings.
Deal with Squirrels Early
London has plenty of squirrels, and they dig up tulips and crocus bulbs. A few ways to protect your work:
- Lay chicken wire over the planted bed before you mulch.
- Cover the area with shredded leaves or mulch to hide the scent.
- Choose critter-resistant bulbs like daffodils, alliums, fritillaria and snowdrops.
- Plant a few extra bulbs. That way, losing some doesn’t wreck the display.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Planting too early, while the soil is still warm.
- Planting too shallow, which exposes bulbs to freeze-thaw damage.
- Skipping drainage checks, which leads to rot.
- Forgetting to water after planting.
- Giving up because it’s late. You’ve usually got more time than you think.
What Not to Plant in Fall
Not every bulb goes in the ground now. Summer-blooming, frost-tender bulbs like gladiolus, dahlias, cannas and begonias wait until spring, after the last frost, which in London averages in early to mid May.
Quick FAQ
What month should I plant bulbs in London, Ontario? October is the safest choice, with late September and early November working too.
Is it too late to plant bulbs in November? Not if the ground isn’t frozen. Plant them as soon as you can.
Should I plant tulips later than daffodils? Many gardeners do, planting tulips from mid-October into November. It isn’t strictly necessary, but it works well.
Can I plant bulbs in pots? Yes, but potted bulbs are more exposed to winter cold than in-ground ones. Use large containers, and consider moving them to a sheltered spot or insulating them.
How deep should bulbs go? About two to three times the bulb’s height. That’s around 5 to 6 inches for tulips and daffodils.
Final Thoughts
For London, Ontario, remember this simple plan: buy your bulbs in September, plant small ones first, plant the bulk of your daffodils and tulips through October, and finish up in early November if you need to. Check the soil temperature, water them in, and protect them from squirrels.
Do that, and you’ll get your reward when the snow melts. Have you got a favourite bulb for a London garden? Tell me in the comments.
Suggested title tag: When to Plant Bulbs in London, Ontario (Fall Calendar and Tips)
Meta description: Wondering when to plant bulbs in London, Ontario? Plant late September to early November. See timing by bulb type, depth tips and how to stop squirrels.
Sources and fact-check notes
- London’s first frost: The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists London’s average first fall frost as around October 4, based on 1981 to 2010 normals. Veseys’ Canadian frost table gives October 1 to 10, and a Global News piece cites an October 8 average using 1976 to 2005 data. That’s why the article says “early October.”
- Soil temperature and root timing: Soil at about 55 to 60°F is the target for bulbs, since that keeps them focused on roots. A separate guide suggests planting when nights hold around 40 to 50°F, and about six weeks of cool soil before freeze-up.
- Bulb order: One Rutgers master gardener guide plants small bulbs in September, larger bulbs in October and tulips in November. That’s a New Jersey guide, so I shifted the suggestion toward London’s earlier frost dates, and treated it as a general sequence.
- Squirrels: Canada Blooms recommends covering newly planted bulbs with chicken wire, then mulch.
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