When planting flower bulbs, the question of the optimal planting depth inevitably arises. Specimens set too deep may not sprout. Onions that are not set deep enough will not have enough support. Are there set values for this?

The depth of the hole depends on the size of the onion

The term planting depth

What do you understand by the term planting depth? In fact, not even the experts agree on the definition. Is that the distance from the bottom of the planted bulb to the surface of the earth? Or is that the height of the layer of soil above the onion?

Luckily, the onion itself doesn't take it too seriously. In order for it to sprout after setting, the optimal distance does not have to be maintained exactly.

onion size

The size of the bulb is the most important indicator of how deep your planting hole needs to be. Since there are both huge specimens and tiny little bulbs among the flower bulb varieties, it is understandable that each variety has a different planting depth. The rule of thumb is: the planting depth is twice the length of the bulb.

The floor

The layer of soil above an onion is a barrier that it first has to break through with the tender, thin shoots. The thicker the layer, the more work the onion has to do. Depending on the soil conditions, the expulsion can even fail.

  • in a light soil deep plants
  • plant less deep in heavy soil

Top-heavy plants

Some types of flower bulbs, such as some types of allium, sprout strongly or high above ground and must therefore be well rooted in the ground. With these varieties, the planting depth is not calculated according to the size of the bulb. You have to get a little deeper into the ground for good stability.

Don't plant too deep

The recommended planting depth does not have to be adhered to to the millimeter. But there shouldn't be any major deviations. Flower bulbs that are planted too deep will grow poorly. The flowering is also not as magnificent as it could be naturally.

Planting depths of popular varieties

  • Hyacinths: 10 to 12 cm
  • Imperial crowns: 25 to 30 cm
  • Crocuses: 5 to 8 cm
  • March cup: 8 to 10 cm
  • Daffodils: 10 to 15 cm
  • Checkerboard flower: 5 to 7 cm
  • Snowdrop: 7 to 10 cm
  • Ray anemones: 5 cm
  • Grape hyacinths: 5 to 7 cm
  • Tulips: 10 to 15 cm
  • Ornamental onion: 10 to 15 cm
  • Dwarf iris: 5 to 7 cm

Category:

Vegetable garden