Planting Bulbs Is Easy With A Few Basic Tips

Be The Envy Of The Neighborhood

Well spring is here and with it comes the beautiful flowers that excite our senses. Soon tulips and daffodils will be popping up in neighbors' yards, and as with past years we wonder why we don't have the same color and vitality in our own yard.

Well this year you are going to have a head start by printing out this hub and fixing it to your refrigerator where you will see it every day this summer. Then when fall arrives you will be ready to plant those bulbs so next spring you will be the envy of the neighborhood. Here's what you need to do.

Purchasing your bulbs as close to planting time as possible is a good idea. Bulbs stored for more than two weeks can begin to deteriorate. If you do need to wait awhile to plant, make sure that the bulbs are removed from their packages, mixed with some peat moss and stored in a cool, dry area. The best time to plant is usually around Halloween.

Bulbs prefer sunny spots

Try to pick areas in your yard that receive a lot of sun. Most bulbs thrive in all sun. There are exceptions such as crocus, which can thrive in partial sun. And since crocus blooms in early spring it can be planted under deciduous trees that are still leafless during their bloom time.

While preparing your yard for bulbs, you'll want to get a mental picture of how the flowers will look in full bloom. Use the "down in front" approach with shorter bulbs like snowdrops making up the frontline and taller varieties like tulips and alliums in the back.

Pick an area with porous soil

Check the soil before you begin digging. Bulbs grow best in areas that drain easily. Soil that's regularly damp can rot bulbs. Avoid areas around hoses, downspouts or anywhere there is regular soil saturation.

You can take a couple approaches to the actual planting process. When readying flowerbeds for a group of bulbs, remove the topsoil to the specific depth for each bulb type. You can also dig a hole for each bulb to avoid damaging existing plants or to do some strategic positioning of your bulbs. Whichever way you choose, be sure to figure the correct depth for each bulb type. The rule is to plant bulbs three times the depth of their diameter.

Put roots down and point up

When planting bulbs make sure that they are firmly in place with the root ends down. Sometimes the roots won't be obvious. In these situations, look for the pointy end and make sure that it points up. If you're wondering what happens when you plant them the wrong way, watch our video and see what happend to Rufus.

When covering the bulbs with soil, mix a combination of peat moss and leaf mulch into the dirt. This will keep the soil surrounding the bulb loose and promote good root development. If you're planting in tough clay soil, mix in some sand to loosen the dirt in order to give the sprout a chance to penetrate. With the bulbs in place, cover them with soil and water well. In any climate with cold winters, be sure to cover flowerbeds with two to three inches of mulch. Remove the mulch in early spring so the sprouts can easily find their way up.

Be prepared for bulb bandits

Another thing to keep your eye on are critters roaming your yard looking for a free lunch. Foraging chipmunks, squirrels, mice, deer and gophers find bulbs to be tasty treats. Try placing a barrier of wire mesh or old window screen over the beds to deter digging. You can also place thorny clippings in with the mulch cover. Mesh bulb baskets are another option. If these deterrents fail, you might want to consider planting in a new area where the critters have less chance of reaching or try bulbs that the animals leave alone, like snowdrops and daffodils.

Fertilize in early spring

Early spring is a good time to fertilize. This is when new roots are forming. Apply a slow-release fertilizer specifically for bulbs to the top of the soil, and be careful not to over fertilize. While applying make sure to rinse any granules that land on the leaves. Liquid fertilizer should be used after the bulbs bloom.

Leave foliage to feed bulbs

When the bulbs eventually wither it's okay to leave most bulbs in the ground. A couple of possible exceptions are hyacinths and tulips, which tend to do better when you dig them up, divide and replant them. You also want to avoid removing foliage from any of your bulbs after they begin to wither. Cutting it away can actually stunt future growth. The leaves and foliage store food giving the bulb the strength it needs to grow, bloom and bring beauty to your yard again next year.