Fall Bulbs for West Texas
By Debbie Roland, Permian Basin Master Gardener
You are probably getting signs that the end of your 2026 gardening season is near. Some vegetables may be rejuvenating with the cooler days and nights, but the shrubs and trees are starting to show signs of the coming winter. With that said, it is the beginning of another gardening season.
October and November are great months for planting many bulbs. This gives them time to establish roots and prepare for a beautiful spring display. If you are looking for flowers, look for firm, healthy bulbs with no soft spots, mold, or signs of damage. The bulb size indicates the size of the mature plant. West Texas choices include daffodils, amaryllis, grape hyacinths, crinum lily, iris, and tulips. Iris and daffodils are especially dependable because they can tolerate our crazy weather and still return in following years.
I find tulips to be trickier here since they require a period of cold temperatures to bloom well. Many gardeners have their hearts set on tulips and find that by purchasing prechilled bulbs and planting in late fall, they can get a spring showing. Plan on treating tulips as an annual since many don’t return the next year.
Plant in well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, add compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Plant a bulb about twice as deep as it is tall. Planting instructions vary, so read the package for the variety you choose. Always place the pointed end up, cover, and water thoroughly.
Don’t forget edible bulbs. This is the perfect time to plant garlic, onions, and shallots. Plant garlic cloves with the paper-like covering left on the bulb and the pointed end up. Onions are available now as sets, usually 50 to 100 plants rubber-banded together. I don’t think some of the onions in those sets are too small to make a good onion. The small ones seem to grow the best for me. Loosen your soil, add compost, and remember not to plant too deep. I try to let a small ring of the onion's white show above the soil, then water in.
The best thing about bulbs is that most of the growing work happens underground. After you plant, water regularly but don’t let the soil get soggy. A layer of mulch can help conserve moisture and protect young roots from large temperature swings common in West Texas.
If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700. Additional information and our blog, with access to past articles, are available at westtexasgardening.org. Click on “Resources”.
