Heber Valley Fall Planting Guide
Fall Bulb Planting Guide for the Heber Valley
The tulips, daffodils and crocus that brighten Heber Valley yards in April and May all go in the ground now. October is the sweet spot here: the soil is still workable, but cool enough that bulbs settle in and root without sprouting early.
This guide from Country Gardens & Nursery covers when to plant, how deep, which bulbs handle mountain winters and how to keep deer and voles from eating your work.
Timing
When to Plant Bulbs in Heber
Spring bulbs need 12 to 16 weeks of cold to bloom, and they need a few weeks of root growth before the ground freezes. In the Heber Valley that means planting from late September through October, once nighttime temperatures stay in the 40s and below. You can keep planting into early November as long as you can still dig.
Buy bulbs early for the best selection and plant them soon after you bring them home. Store any you cannot plant right away in a cool, dry, dark spot, never in a hot garage or car.
Step by Step
How to Plant Spring Bulbs
- Pick a sunny, well-drained spot. Most spring bulbs want at least six hours of sun. Avoid low spots where snowmelt pools, because bulbs rot in soggy soil.
- Loosen and amend the soil. Work in a few inches of compost so water drains and roots can spread. Heavy clay soils in the valley benefit most from this step.
- Dig to the right depth. A good rule is to plant two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall. That is about 6 to 8 inches for tulips and daffodils and 3 to 4 inches for crocus and other small bulbs.
- Point side up. Set each bulb with the pointed tip facing up and the flat root plate down. If you cannot tell, plant it on its side and it will find its way.
- Plant in groups. Clusters of 10 or more bulbs look far better in spring than single rows. Space larger bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart and small bulbs 2 to 3 inches apart.
- Water and mulch. Water well after planting to settle the soil, then add 2 to 3 inches of mulch once the ground starts to freeze to protect bulbs from freeze and thaw cycles.
Proven Picks for Mountain Yards
Bulbs That Thrive in the Heber Valley
Tulips
Tulips love the cold winters and dry summers of northern Utah. Species and Darwin hybrid tulips tend to come back year after year better than fancy types. Deer love tulips, so plant them close to the house or inside a fenced area.
Daffodils
Daffodils are the most reliable spring bulb for Heber yards. They are toxic to deer, voles and rabbits, so they get left alone, and they multiply into bigger clumps every year. Great for slopes, borders and naturalized areas.
How Deep to Plant
Measure from the bottom of the bulb to the soil surface. When in doubt, a little deeper is better in our cold winters.
- Tulips 6 to 8 inches deep, 4 to 6 inches apart
- Daffodils 6 to 8 inches deep, 4 to 6 inches apart
- Alliums 6 to 8 inches deep for large types
- Hyacinths 6 inches deep, 4 inches apart
- Crocus, grape hyacinth, snowdrops 3 to 4 inches deep
Alliums and Grape Hyacinth
Ornamental onions and grape hyacinth are deer resistant, drought tolerant once established and great for pollinators. Alliums add tall purple globes in late spring, right as the tulips finish.
Crocus and Snowdrops
These small bulbs often bloom right through the last snow in March and April. Tuck them into lawns, along walkways and under deciduous trees where they get spring sun before the leaves come out.
Protect Your Investment
Keeping Deer and Voles Away
If deer visit your yard, lean on daffodils, alliums, grape hyacinth and crocus, and save tulips for protected beds. A layer of chicken wire laid over the planting area just under the mulch stops squirrels and voles from digging up bulbs, and the shoots grow right through it in spring.
Want more ideas for a yard deer leave alone? See our guide to deer-resistant plants that look beautiful and our list of deer resistant plants.
Plant Now, Smile in Spring
Get Your Bulbs in Before the Ground Freezes
Stop by Country Gardens & Nursery in Heber City for compost, soil and planting advice from people who garden in the same mountain conditions you do. Ask our team about this season's bulb selection, and call ahead if you are looking for something specific. While you are planting, our guide to winterizing trees and shrubs covers the rest of the yard.