Caring for Your Spring Bulbs After Bloom: What to Do in May
Spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are the first cheerful signs of life after winter, but what happens once their colourful display fades? May is the time to care for your bulbs properly so they come back even better next year. Here's everything you need to know to keep your spring bulbs healthy and blooming for seasons to come.
1. Don’t Cut Back Too Soon
It’s tempting to tidy up your garden as soon as the flowers fade, but resist the urge to cut back the foliage! The leaves continue to photosynthesise and send energy back into the bulb for next year’s growth.
Do this instead:
Let the leaves die back naturally. Only remove them once they’ve turned yellow and limp — this is a sign the bulb has stored enough energy.
2. Deadhead Spent Flowers
To help your bulbs conserve energy, remove faded flower heads. This stops the plant from putting energy into seed production and focuses it on strengthening the bulb instead.
Gently pinch or snip off the flower just below the head, leaving the stem and leaves intact.
3. Feed the Bulbs
After blooming, spring bulbs benefit from a little post-show snack. A high-potassium feed, like tomato fertiliser, supports healthy bulb development.
Feed every 1–2 weeks after flowering until the foliage dies back completely.
4. Keep the Area Weed-Free
Weeds can compete for nutrients and water, so keep the bulb area tidy to give them the best chance of thriving.
5. Consider Lifting and Storing (Optional)
Some bulbs, like tulips, can weaken over time if left in the ground. If your soil is heavy or you’ve noticed fewer flowers each year, consider lifting the bulbs:
Wait until the foliage has died back
Gently lift the bulbs with a fork
Dry them thoroughly
Store in a cool, dark place in paper bags or trays
Come autumn, they’ll be ready to plant again!
6. Plan for Next Year
Now’s the perfect time to take stock of what bloomed well, where you want more colour next spring, and which varieties you'd love to add. Make notes or even mark spots with labels to remind yourself when bulb-planting season returns in autumn.
In Short:
Leave foliage until it dies back naturally
Deadhead flowers, but keep stems and leaves
Feed with a high-potassium fertiliser
Keep beds tidy and weed-free
Lift bulbs if needed and store properly
Looking after your spring bulbs in May is a small task that pays off with stunning displays next year. If you need help identifying your bulbs or choosing the right fertiliser, pop in and speak to our friendly team at Flowerland — we're always happy to help you grow with confidence.
