Winter Bulb Calendar for South Africa 2026
Winter Bulb Calendar for South Africa (2026): What to Plant Month-by-Month
Winter bulbs are one of the easiest ways to get a “wow” garden (and florist-grade cut flowers) in South Africa — as long as you plant at the right time. In general, winter/spring bloomers go in during autumn, while summer bloomers are planted in spring.
This 2026 calendar focuses on the winter-bulb season and gives you a simple month-by-month plan you can follow.
Before you plant (2-minute setup)
- Match timing to your region: Cooler winter-rainfall areas (like the Western Cape) can often start earlier once soils cool. Warmer areas may plant later, but heat can shorten the season.
- Drainage matters more than fertiliser: Bulbs hate sitting wet in cold soil. If your soil is heavy, plant in raised beds or containers.
- Tulips & hyacinths may need chilling: Chill for 6–8 weeks at 4–9°C in a paper bag, away from fruit.
- Ranunculus & anemones benefit from soaking: A short soak (about 2–4 hours) helps wake up the corms.
2026 Month-by-Month Winter Bulb Calendar
January
- Decide what you’re planting (beds, pots, or cut-flower rows).
- Plan chilling space for tulips/hyacinths if you’ll be chilling at home.
February
- Start pre-chilling tulips and hyacinths (if needed), so they’re ready for late autumn planting.
- Prep beds: loosen soil, add compost, and improve drainage.
March
- Plant (early in cooler areas): Hyacinths can be planted from March–May.
- Start pushing “notify me” / waitlists for winter bulbs that sell out early.
April
Prime planting month begins.
- Anemones: commonly planted early April to end May.
- Ranunculus: plant April to early June for best results.
- Daffodils (Narcissus): a good window is often end April into May (once soils cool).
- Tulips: commonly planted late April to early June (cooler regions often earlier).
- For cut-flower rows (ranunculus/anemone), plan support/staking early.
May
Peak planting month.
- Continue planting anemones and ranunculus.
- Keep planting tulips in cool soil.
- Plant daffodils if soil temperatures are cool enough.
- Mulch lightly to stabilise moisture and reduce weeds.
June
Last call for many winter bulbs.
- Ranunculus: still viable into early June in many areas.
- Tulips: some warmer/inland areas can plant into mid-June (if bulbs are properly chilled and soil is cool).
- Watch watering: cold + wet soil increases rot risk. Water less often in rainy weeks.
July
- Maintenance month: weed, check pests, and feed lightly if needed.
- Many gardens begin seeing winter bulb colour now (hyacinths often flower July–September).
August
- Main flowering time for many winter bulbs — ideal month for photos and social content.
- For cut flowers (ranunculus/anemone), harvest early morning and condition in clean water immediately.
September
- Transition month: winter bulbs may still flower, but spring planting begins for many summer bulbs (like dahlias and gladioli).
- If you want colour for longer, mix winter bulbs with cool-season annuals and later-flowering perennials.
October
- As winter bulbs finish: deadhead flowers, but leave the leaves until they yellow naturally (this recharges the bulb).
November
- Once foliage is fully yellow/brown, tidy beds and clear old leaves.
- Decide which bulbs you’ll treat as “annuals” (common with tulips in warmer climates) vs which you’ll keep naturalising.
December
- Plan for 2027 improvements: more bulbs in pots near entrances, bigger drifts in beds, and better sequencing.
- Build your pre-order / notify-me list early for next winter bulb season.
