There's something deeply satisfying about getting your hands dirty in October that most people just don't understand. While everyone else is inside scrolling TikTok or watching football, smart tulip growers are outside doing the unglamorous work that'll make next spring spectacular.
by Andrew Miller -- Tulip Valley Farms
When to Get Your Hands Dirty
Here's the truth: tulips are like any worthwhile project - they need structure, they need the cold facts, and they won't perform unless you respect the process. You've got to plant these bulbs when soil temps drop consistently below 60°F, which around here means mid-October through early December. Late October? That's your sweet spot.
Plant too early and those bulbs get confused, thinking it's party time when they should be dormant. Plant too late and you're literally fighting frozen ground with a shovel - and trust me, the ground usually wins that battle.
The Real Work Begins
Now, I'm gonna tell you something that might sting a little: there are no shortcuts to great tulips. You want that magazine-worthy spring display? Then you better respect the fundamentals.
First, drainage is everything - and I mean everything. Growing tulips in soggy soil is like trying to build a house on a swamp. If water pools where you're planting, fix that problem first or you're just wasting time and money.
Plant those bulbs pointed end up (seems obvious, but you'd be surprised), three times as deep as the bulbs are tall. For most tulips, we're talking 6-8 inches down. Space them 4-6 inches apart - closer if you want that jaw-dropping density, wider if you're going for the natural look. Don't worry -- if you don't get it right, the bulbs figure it out!
Here's Where It Gets Really Good
I've got some news that's gonna make your gardening heart sing. We just secured a shipment of premium tulip bulbs straight from the Netherlands - the same quality stock that creates our jaw-dropping spring displays. These aren't your run-of-the-mill garden center bulbs; these are the championship-level varieties that make people drive hours just to see them bloom.
But here's the catch (and there's always a catch): quantities are limited and orders must be in by October 20th. No extensions, no "just one more week" - when they're gone, they're gone until next year.
The Tool That Changed Everything
When we plant in our fields, we put the bulbs in synthetic nets to make harvesting them as easy as finding the end of the net and pulling (an old Dutch trick). After being asked many times, “How can I do that in my garden?” we have an answer! You can now get our commercial-grade bulb netting! It will save your back and your sanity! This is the same stuff we use in our fields - not because it's fancy, but because it flat-out works.
This netting handles two jobs that'll make you wonder how you ever planted without it. First, it keeps most critters, like squirrels to moles, from turning your carefully planned garden into their personal buffet. Second, come spring cleanup, you'll understand why we swear by this stuff - it guides those flower shoots up straight and strong, and makes maintenance a breeze.
It's one of those simple solutions that just makes sense. The kind of tool that makes hard work a little easier, and in my book, that's always worth the investment.
Ready to get your hands dirty for next spring's payoff? Head to our website before October 20th - your future self will thank you when April rolls around.
Andrew Miller, Farmer and Founder of Tulip Valley Farms in Mount Vernon WA
4 New Tulip Varieties + 1 Daffodil Variety
As Holly begins planning the tulip fields for spring 2026, she decided to share some of her new favorite tulip varieties and daffodil variety (as we prepared 100s of thousands of daffodils!) with YOU. These varieties include one of the only tulips with a fragrance, the Dreamer!
Holly had a plan for every Dreamer she ordered, but because EVERYONE asks for them, we're doing a limited release of 2,000 this fall.
Only 1000 available of each variety (Except Dreamer) Available through October 20th, as long as supplies last
If you love tulips and Tulip Valley Farms you'll really love the new “Holly in Holland” items that are designed and handmade by Holly (except the “More Tulips…” sticker; that was Andrew's idea). If you or someone you know loves Tulip Valley Farms, these items are a great way to commemorate it!
All bulbs will begin shipping out mid-October, just in time for fall planting!
The team at Tulip Valley Farms put their heart and soul into providing an amazing, unique experience for visitors to the Skagit Valley every spring. They create fun places to get photos to save your memories -- and they bring petting zoo animals to entertain young and old!
Every year is different -- come explore the grounds and see the amazing creativity they provide at the Farm!
Learn more about the farm: https://tulipvalley.com/