Plant daffodils in a sunny spot, one that gets at least 6 hours of bright sun each day. If planted in partial shade, the plants will still produce green leaves, but they won’t bloom. Like most bulbs, daffodils prefer well-drained soil; otherwise they are prone to rotting. When to Plant Daffodils The best time to plant daffodil bulbs is in the fall (exact timing can range anywhere from September to late November, depending on where you live). The soil needs to have cooled off, but the ground still needs to be workable when you plant. The ideal soil temperature for planting daffodils is 60 degrees Fahrenheit at a depth of 6 inches. How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Daffodils Prepare new planting areas with good soil with plant food , mixing 3 inches in with the top 6 to 8 inches of existing soil. This will provide bulbs with the nutrition they need to grow a strong root system in preparation for spring flowering.