Freighter View Farms

There’s something incredibly satisfying about planting bulbs in the crispness of autumn. This year, at Freighter View Farms, we’re setting the stage for next spring’s spectacular display of red tulips and elegant alliums.

I chose a variety of vibrant red tulip bulbs to add a bright pop of color around the farm. Some were planted in the flower beds in front of the house, promising a stunning burst of red to greet us next April. Others went into a special flower bed that serves as the entrance to our vegetable gardens. It’s a space that deserves a bold and inviting look, and I think these tulips will do just that, drawing the eye and the heart deeper into Freighter View Farms.

We also added two types of allium bulbs in the flowerbed pathways that lead into the vegetable patches. These are not just any ordinary flowers—these alliums are tall and striking, known for their deep shades of purple and whimsical globe-like blooms. The bulbs were planted in groups, each set about six inches apart, and spaced out in artistic patterns. The idea is to provide dramatic focal points, bringing texture and vibrancy to the entrance of our veggie gardens as they bloom late spring into early summer.

Planting bulbs is more than just digging a hole; it’s about dreaming and designing, thinking ahead to what your space will look like when winter makes its retreat. Here’s how we went about planting these tulips and alliums, step by step:

How to Plant Tulips and Alliums

1. Choosing the Spot: For tulips, we selected sunny locations, such as the front beds and the entrance to the veggie garden. Tulips thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil, so it’s important to pick a place where they can bask in the sun’s warmth come spring. For the alliums, we focused on making use of the paths and entrances, adding a vertical visual interest that will guide visitors into the garden with their impressive purple blooms.
2. Preparing the Soil: A little soil prep can go a long way. Before digging, we made sure the soil was loose and well-drained, removing rocks and breaking up any clumps. Tulips and alliums love looser soil because it allows their roots to stretch out and establish well.
3. Planting the Tulips: We planted the tulip bulbs about four inches apart, placing each bulb about six to eight inches deep with the pointed end facing up. The key to a beautiful display is a generous planting—enough to create those gorgeous clusters of color that blend effortlessly with each other, yet have enough space to grow independently.
4. Setting the Alliums: For the alliums, we dug holes about six inches deep, keeping the spacing around six inches between each bulb in a group. Alliums benefit from being planted in clusters as they create a more dramatic effect when their tall stems rise above the garden’s greenery.
5. Finishing Touch: Once all the bulbs were tucked into their beds, we gently covered them with soil and lightly tamped it down. A sprinkle of water helps settle the soil around the bulbs, ensuring they’re snug for their long winter’s rest.

There’s something special about planting bulbs in autumn. It’s the promise of tomorrow’s beauty, hidden beneath layers of earth, waiting to surprise you when the seasons shift. Walking along the paths at Freighter View Farms next spring, I imagine these tulips and alliums swaying gently, nodding in the cool morning breeze. The reds and purples will beautifully complement the early greens of the vegetables just beginning to grow.

As I buried each bulb, I was planting more than just flowers. It’s a ritual of hope, a tiny gesture of believing in what’s to come. Spring always feels far off, especially as the crispness of fall deepens. But when the warm air returns, and the snow melts away, these tulips and alliums will rise, a reminder that winter is not forever and that gardens, like dreams, always find a way to bloom.