At this time of year - when evaporation from hot sunlight is minimal - watering once thoroughly after planting is sufficient. In my climate, I even skip that as fall rains will be around momentarily :-))

Same here. I don't recall that I have ever watered bulbs.

Agree with gardengal48. It's to get the bulb roots started before the first frost in places where the frost will arrive ahead of any significant end of summer rains. Once the roots have started the bulb closes down for the winter and goes into 'anti-freeze' mode. Usually the roots start months before the green shows above the soil.

For those of us with autumn rains and temperate weather - it's not something we need to do, but it is very important for gardeners who work with the inner continental extremes.

I'm in zone 4 and was wondering the same thing. I actually just planted my first ever bulbs today. I'm hoping that they will come up in Spring. I watered them after planting them, and would like to know if I shouldn't water them again... and just let them be until they sprout.

If you know by physically checking that the water you applied did not get down as far as the bulbs - not enough, very parched soil - whatever - then it could be useful to add a little more.

If you dug the hole/s, watered the bottom, then placed your bulbs - you probably don't need to add any more.

I don't even bother watering mine in at all, unless we're having a very dry fall and no rain is predicted.

I've planted thousands of bulbs without watering and they always come up fine. I imagine too much water could make them rot, though.

Thanks to everyone for these very helpful responses. The instructions that come with the bulbs are too vague.