When should you plant lilac bushes?

Plant lilacs in either the spring or the fall. The fall is the preferred time to plant them, according to the Farmer's Almanac. Plant lilacs in a site where they receive at least six hours of sunlight per day.

The planting site should have fertile, soil rich in humus. Add compost to improve soil conditions. Lilacs prefer a neutral to an alkaline soil with a pH near 7.0. Lilacs need soil that drains well because they do not bloom if they receive too much water. Space lilacs plants between 5 and 15 feet apart depending upon the type of lilac.