Fertilize when planting, again when you see sprouts, and then one last time after bloom. Or, do what I do, and fertilize whenever you happen to think of it!

Or what I do,never fertilize. I do my best to maintain fertile planting beds which never need fertilizer. Al

I had planted tulips bulbs in Oct too. I used bulb fertilizer in the hole, the bed was also prepared with mushroom compost, so I dont know if I need to fertilize again. They are poking through the soil already too! I'm afraid that the fertilizer for the bulbs will harm the perennials I also have planted there.

kentstar

"I'm afraid that the fertilizer for the bulbs will harm the perennials I also have planted there."

All my bulbs are overplanted with perennials. I have never seen harm to either from fertilizer meant for the other.