how to plant tulip bulbs hello and welcome to videojug we've come to Holland Park in London Head Gardener celephais is going to show us how to plant tulip bulbs she lips a spring flowering which means they should be planted in autumn so they can flower in spring step one you will need a garden fork a trial a dipper or something similar like a stick and some bulbs step to choosing your bulbs the bulb should be plump and firm don't plant a bulb that is soft and squishy as it may be rotten inside step 3 preparing the site tulips grow in most soils but if the soil is very dry plant the bulbs a day after it has rained the ideal site should be sunny or likely shaded remove any weeds or stones and use a fork or trowel to loosen and aerate the soil step for planting use a trowel to dig out a hole large enough to fit all the bulbs you are planting the depth of the hole should be twice the length of the bulb itself loosen the soil inside the hole to help the roots grow more easily bulbs must be planted with their tip pointing upwards position the bulbs in a random pattern two to three times their width apart bulbs can be planted together in one large hole if you have an open empty flowerbed or individual holes can be made using a Dipper Step five replacing the soil using your hands gently draw the soil across the bulbs taking care not to move them press the soil down with your fingers don't tread on the soil as it may damage the growing points of the bulbs step 6 watering unless the soil is very dry there is no need to water your bulbs newly planted bulbs may rot if the soil becomes sodden and waterlogged there should be enough rain through the autumn and winter to provide your bulbs with enough moisture by March or April your bulbs should be transformed into beautiful spring flowers done you