Planting fall flower bulbs is an easy and rewarding gardening task – pop them in the ground now, and your landscape will be filled with blossoming buds when spring rolls around.
Most spring-flowering bulbs should be planted 6 to 8 weeks before the soil begins to freeze. In growing zones 4-5, the ideal planting time is?mid to late October. Gardeners in zones 6-8 should wait until November.
- Bulb planting starts with high-quality bulbs. Look for bulbs that are plump and firm. It's typically best to avoid any that are soft and mushy or have mold growing on them. Also,?look for big bulbs; the bigger they are, the more they generally bloom compared to smaller bulbs of the same variety.
- When to plant bulbs depends on when they bloom. Spring-blooming bulbs, such as?tulips?and?daffodils, should be planted in September or October when the soil temperatures have cooled.
- Dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall. So if you have a 3-inch-tall bulb, dig a hole 6 to 9 inches deep. Of course, there are always exceptions, so?check the planting directions?that come with the bulbs for more information.
- Plant your bulbs pointy side up. Like most plants, bulbs appreciate well-drained soil?rich in organic matter. So?mix compost into your bulbs' planting holes?to ensure good blooming. This is especially important if you have?heavy clay soil?or ground that stays wet.
- Critters such as squirrels love digging up freshly planted bulbs. To keep animals away, spread a layer of mulch to hide your bulb holes. If that doesn't help, weigh down a piece of mesh or chicken wire over the soil to keep critters from digging. It should be safe to remove the protective mesh or wire after the bulbs start to sprout out of the ground.
Bulbs can be grown in many ways — formal gardens,?meadow gardens, scattered in lawns, under trees, or strategically planted throughout beds and borders. Many bulbs will naturalize in an area and multiply, coming back year after year, so plan carefully and you can have years of enjoyment from one planting.
