If you live in a colder climate, now is a wonderful time to plant some tulips in your yard to enjoy in the spring.  It is always a nice surprise after a long, cold winter to see these beautiful flowers sprout up and give your yard a great boost of vibrant colors.  The tulip bulb needs to be planted in the fall because it begins it need the cold ground to wake from being dormant and start its growing.  Without the cold ground turning warm, this bulb will not be able to grow.

• When selecting tulip bulbs to plant for the upcoming spring, decide on a color palate for your garden and choose your plants accordingly.  Tulips are available in a variety of beautiful colors and you may want to mix a variety of beautiful colors to liven up your garden.  Make sure to select bulbs that have a good appearance and look fresh and healthy.  In addition, bulbs that are bigger, firmer, and heavier will give you the best results.
• After you have selecting your bulbs, you will need to get them into the ground before the ground freezes.  Choose a location that will complement your landscaping in the spring.  Bulbs can last year after year, so it is important to choose a spot that you will be happy with for many years.  After you have chosen the perfect location, use a hand shovel, like the Ergonomic Garden Trowel to help you easily dig up the dirt. 
• Once you have dug a hole about three times the height of the bulbs, use a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, such as Scotts Bulb Continuous Release Plant Food 10-20-10, to give your bulbs a great start for the upcoming spring. 
• Use a bulb planter like the Long Handle Zinc Plated Bulb Planter to easily plant your bulbs in the ground.  Make sure that the nose of the bulb is pointing upward and the basal plate is touching the soil with no air pocket for optimum growth.
• Fill in the hole with soil and pat down the ground firmly to remove any air pockets.  Water the area well.