7 Plants That Don't Do Best With A Springtime Start

As the cold winter comes to an end, many of us excitedly start daydreaming about getting our spring gardens ready. Understanding species-specific care requirements, like sun, water, and soil type, is important for successful growth, but planting in the right season can also make or break your gardening efforts. Soil temperature directly affects plant growth, root development, and overall health. Each plant has its own unique life cycle with periods of growth and dormancy, so you'll want to do your best to align with its natural rhythm. Unfortunately, if you plant a species in the wrong season, it may develop weak roots, have stunted growth, bloom poorly, or even fail to establish at all.

Many seeds or bulbs require a cold dormancy period, and without it, they may not develop properly. While it might seem like your plants aren't doing much during this period, this cold season of the beginning of their cycle is often necessary to trigger growth in spring or summer, so without it, your plants may fail to establish. On the other hand, some plants require warmer soil to germinate properly, so planting them too early in the season could cause them to suffer from stunted growth or even die. So if you have your heart set on some of these options, you'll want to avoid planting them in spring and instead determine the ideal time in your region. 

Between their lush blooms and delicious fragrance, it's hard not to love peonies (Paeonia spp.). However, to successfully grow the bright blooms, you'll want to plant them at the right time of the year. You may be tempted to plant peonies in the spring, but it's usually not the best season, especially if they're bare-root specimens. Potted peonies found in garden centers already have established roots, making them a bit more resilient to spring planting. Bare-root peonies need time to grow an established root system, which primarily takes place during cooler months. Because of their growth habits, spring-planted peonies without developed roots will likely struggle over the hot summer months. Containerized peonies that you might pick up at a garden center in spring — although a little more able to tolerate being transplanted at this time — are still generally best left in their containers until the summer months are over. 

The best time to plant peonies is in the fall when temperatures drop. Over the cooler months, the plant focuses energy on developing its roots. This preparation can give them better stem and flower production when warmer months roll around. Because sunlight requirements differ among types, choose a location where your specific variety will receive the hours it needs. Space your plants at least 3 feet apart in well-drained soil to ensure they'll have adequate circulation as they grow. Dig a hole about 2 feet deep and wide and create a mound of soil in the center. Set the roots on top of the mound with the eyes facing up, and cover with an inch or two of gently tamped soil, then water the area.

As other flowers in your garden wrap up their blooming season, autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) steps into the spotlight. Despite its name, this stunning bulb isn't a true crocus but is instead a member of the lily family. Although most garden plants go dormant in the fall or winter, the autumn crocus will bloom in the fall, produce foliage in the spring, and then go dormant in early summer. Because of their unique dormancy period, planting these flowers in spring would go against their natural cycle, potentially stressing out the plant and affecting blooming.

To enjoy beautiful pinkish-purple flowers in the fall, plant autumn crocus in mid-to-late summer while they're dormant. Hardy in zones 4-9, choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade. Although they aren't too picky about soil types, autumn crocus corms should be planted in a moist, well-drained blend. The flowers will reach 8-10 inches tall, so make sure you plant them in an area where you can enjoy their fall blooms, but where their tall foliage won't block other perennials in your garden. Plant the corms at least 6 inches apart in holes that are 3-6 inches deep. When the plants become crowded, you can divide them in summer once the foliage dies back but before they put out flowers. 

There may be thousands of tulip (Tulipa) varieties, cultivars, and hybrids, but you can't go wrong with any of them if you want to make a statement in your garden. They come in nearly every shade of the rainbow, aside from blue, with some featuring multiple colors. Although their stunning blooms warm up the garden around late spring, it's not the best time to plant them. If you plant tulips in the spring, they may not bloom in the same season, and any blooms that do appear are likely to be sparse. Tulip bulbs must undergo a cold dormancy, so planting bulbs in spring that haven't been properly chilled will likely prevent blooming.

The best time to plant spring-blooming bulbs is in the fall, about 6-8 weeks before the ground is expected to freeze. Native to southern Europe and central Asia, tulips like warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Although tulips are perennials, they're grown as annuals in most of the United States. In warm climates with mild winters, you'll need to chill your bulbs for about 6-8 weeks before planting in late fall to early winter. Select a sunny planting site with fertile, well-drained soil. Dig a hole about three times the bulb's height, typically around 8 inches deep, and space them 4-6 inches apart. Set the bulb in the hole with the pointed end facing up, fill the area with soil, and water immediately.

Known as one of spring's first flowers to brighten the garden, it's no surprise that daffodils (Narcissus) symbolize new beginnings. In addition to their cheerful blooms, some people plant daffodils to keep squirrels out of the garden because the bulbs and leaves contain poisonous compounds. While daffodils probably won't chase way squirrels, they are a great squirrel-proof plant for adding color in early spring. There's a lot to love about these flowers, especially the fact that they're relatively low-maintenance and easy to grow. However, if you wish to enjoy their early-season blooms, you'll want to avoid planting them in the spring. Like other spring-blooming bulbs, daffodils require a 12-16-week cold dormancy period to develop roots and eventually flower.

So, plant daffodil bulbs in early fall when the ground cools, but about 6 weeks before it freezes. If you're in cool hardiness zones 3-5, you'll want to plant them earlier to beat the frost. In locations with mild winters, you may need to place the bulbs in the fridge 6-8 weeks before planting in November or early December. Daffodils are full sun lovers, though they can bloom in partial shade. Opt for a well-drained, slightly acidic soil blend and space the bulbs at least 2-3 inches apart, though spacing them 4-6 inches will prevent them from crowding as quickly. Dig a hole two times as deep as the bulb's height and make sure the pointed end is facing up. Top with soil, water the area after planting, and apply mulch to help the soil retain heat, especially in cooler climates.

If you want to fill your garden with an intoxicating aroma, you can't go wrong with hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis). They don't just smell amazing, but these showy flower spikes are the perfect option if you want to attract more pollinators to your yard. Despite their allure, they're incredibly low-maintenance, so even beginner gardeners can enjoy their beauty in early to mid-spring. Because these plants require at least a 12-14 week cooling period, you may not get much in terms of blooming if you plant hyacinth bulbs in the spring.

The best time to plant out hyacinth bulbs is in the fall, after the first frost, but at least 2-4 weeks before the ground is expected to freeze. Hyacinths like organically rich, well-drained soils, and poor drainage could lead to bulb rot. Although they may still flower in partial shade, full sun conditions will encourage better blooms. Space the bulbs at least 4 inches apart and plant them 4-6 inches deep in the soil. Remove spent flowers after blooming so they don't put energy into seed production.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a staple for most households, with many of us adding an extra clove or two than a recipe calls for. If you're someone who can't get enough of this vegetable, why not grow your own garlic? Although these bulbs are a little different than flower bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths, they have some similarities in their growth requirements. Because garlic is another species that requires a cool dormant period, planting it in the spring may yield poorly developed bulbs. If you do choose to grow it in spring, you'll need to do so as early in the season as possible to ensure it gets a sufficient cold period.

In most areas, the best time to plant garlic will be in late summer to early fall. Don't use garlic cloves you can buy at the grocery store; instead, do a bit of research to determine which variety grows best in your specific climate. Hardy in zones 4-9, garlic plants do best when grown in an area that receives full sun in organic, well-drained soil. Separate the cloves immediately before planting and space them about 6 inches apart. Place them in the soil at a depth of about 2-3 inches, with the pointy side facing up. Add a layer of straw over the top of the soil to help prevent potentially damaging temperature fluctuations. Your delicious garlic will be ready to harvest in late spring or summer.

If you're struggling to grow a lush, green lawn, the problem may lie in the time you're planting your grass seeds. In a perfect weed-free world, you'd likely be able to grow grass seeds in the spring without issue. Unfortunately, pesky weeds tend to pop up around this time, so growing new grass while keeping the invasive plants at bay can be a bit of a headache. Freshly sprouted grass won't have a strong enough root system to outcompete the weeds, and pre-emergent weed controls will likely harm the new grass. So, if you're in an area where you can plant your chosen grass variety in either spring or fall, you may have better luck seeding it in autumn.

With over 10,000 species of grass, the best time to seed your lawn will depend on your chosen variety. For cool-season grasses, late summer to early fall is the best time to seed, as temperatures begin to drop and annual weeds naturally start to die off. At this time, the cooler weather can help prevent the soil from drying out as quickly, but it won't be so cold that the seeds won't germinate. Depending on the variety, you should start seeing growth within a few weeks, though some types, like Kentucky bluegrass, may take a bit longer. Ideally, you want to get a head-start establishing your lawn before the cold weather hits so that by the time spring comes, it'll be strong enough to withstand any pre-emergent weed-killer products.