How to Plant a Lasagna Bulb Garden For Months of Blooms

Us gardeners love to tinker with our planting methods. It’s not enough to simply drop a seed in the ground; if there is a system or strategy that will improve our soil, repel more pests, or result in brighter flowers or bigger harvests, we are there for it! From trap cropping to keyhole gardening to companion planting and beyond, there are plenty of techniques and tactics to use in the garden.

Let’s add another one to that list: lasagna planting. Inspired by the layers of a classic lasagna, this planting technique involves strategically placing different types of bulbs in a container or garden bed. By layering species with varying bloom times, you can enjoy a colorful, ever-changing palette that will keep your spring garden interesting and engaging from early spring through the start of summer.

Let’s dig in and learn how to create a beautiful lasagna bulb garden.

Choosing Bulbs For a Lasagna Garden

The biggest draw of a lasagna garden is the continuous succession of color and texture as the layers of bulbs emerge. To achieve this, gardeners need to plant multiple species that bloom at different times. Layer smaller, early-flowering species over the larger, later-blooming types. As the early crocuses and snowdrops fade, the late-blooming tulips and allium will emerge and take over.

How to Plant a Lasagna Bulb Garden in Containers

Bulbs work beautifully in containers! They have shallow root systems that don’t require a ton of soil or planting room. Planting layers of bulbs in pots and other containers allows you to create stunning displays that are both pretty and portable.

Step 1. Prepare the Containers

Choose a container that is at least 12-14 inches deep and has adequate drainage holes in the bottom. Add a 2-3 inch layer of quality potting soil to the bottom of the container.

Step 2. Plant the First Layer

Place the largest bulbs pointy-side up along the bottom of the container. Arrange them so they are close but not touching, leaving a ½-1 inch gap between them. Backfill with soil to bring the bed depth to 6 inches. 

Step 3. Plant the Second Layer

Place the second layer pointy-side up on the soil. These should be either mid-spring or early-spring flowering species, depending on how many layers you intend to plant. Stagger them and leave slightly more space between them, approximately 1 inch, to accommodate the stems from the layer below. If adding a third layer, cover this layer with 2 inches of soil before planting the smallest and earliest-blooming species.

Step 4. Water and Top the Container

Water deeply to help fill in air pockets in the soil and trigger the bulb’s root growth. Fill the container the rest of the way with potting soil, leaving an inch or two of headroom at the top of the pot to accommodate future watering.

Step 5. Overwinter Your Container

Most spring-flowering bulbs require a lengthy chill period in order to bloom; typically 10-15 weeks, depending on the plant type. Gardeners in warm climates that don’t experience regular stretches of cold temperatures (zones 8 and warmer) will want to pre-chill the bulbs in the refrigerator before planting, as you would if you were forcing them indoors.

Gardeners in climates with long, freezing winters (zones 3-5) will need to place their planted bulb containers either outside in a protected alcove against the house or in an unheated barn or garage. While the bulbs need to be kept cold (35-45°F or 2-7°C), they cannot be allowed to freeze solid. Soil in planters and containers freezes much more readily than in-ground garden soil.

How to Plant a Lasagna Garden in the Ground

Have a gap in your garden bed or border that’s just dying for some spring color? Lasagna planting is a great way to brighten up an in-ground garden space for several months.

Step 1. Choose the Site

Plant spring-flowering species in full sun or partial shade. Partial shade, especially afternoon shade, may be beneficial for gardens in warmer climates. Bulbs are not fussy about soil type but they must have well-drained conditions. Heavy, waterlogged soil will lead to bulb rot.

Step 2. Dig the Bed

Dig a bed 8-10 inches deep. Loosen the soil at the very bottom of the bed and mix in a little compost. If voles, moles, or mice are frequent visitors in your garden, lay a layer of chicken wire or gravel along the very bottom of the bed to prevent them from tunneling up from below.

Step 3. Plant the First Layer

Place the largest bulbs pointy-side up along the bottom of the garden bed. Arrange them so they are close but not touching, leaving a ½-1 inch gap between them. Backfill with soil to bring the bed depth to 6 inches. 

Step 4. Plant the Second (and Third!) Layer

Place the second layer of bulbs pointy-side up on the soil. These should be either mid-spring or early-spring flowering species, depending on how many layers you intend to plant. Stagger them and leave slightly more space between each one—approximately 1 inch—to accommodate the stems from the layer below. If adding a third layer, cover this layer with 2 inches of soil before planting the smallest and earliest-blooming bulbs.

Step 5. Water and Top the Bed

Water the bed deeply. This will help the bulbs establish roots as well as remove any air pockets in the soil. Backfill the bed with soil to cover the planting material. Apply an insulating layer of mulched leaves, wood chips, or shredded bark on top.

Lasagna Bulb Garden Design Ideas

With so many different species and cultivars of flowering bulbs available, the combinations are nearly endless! Have fun with texture, color, and themes. The only general guideline? Plant a variety of species that bloom in early, mid, and late spring.

Pest-Resistant Selections

Orange and Purple Combos

The All-White Lasagna Bulb Garden

The Low-Growing Lasagna Bulb Garden