Dig in now to create a brighter spring.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Marty Hair

To enjoy your own tulips, crocuses, daffodils, alliums and squills next spring, get busy. The flowers open in March through May, but the bulbs they will grow from must be planted in the autumn.

Small bulbs should be planted this month, while daffodils can be planted into October and tulips into November or even later some years, depending on when the soil freezes. The roots will start growing this fall, then the bulbs will resume growth and produce leaves and flowers next spring.

Plant bulbs where the soil is well drained. Tulips especially do better in places that are not irrigated in summer. The bed may be in full sun or at ...