Spring-flowering bulbs should be purchased and planted in the
fall, preferably in early September for largest size and selection. When
selecting bulbs, avoid those with mold or mechanical damage. Bulbs can
be purchased from bulb catalogs, open bins, and convenience prepacks. When
selecting from an open bin, purchase bulbs that look like the others in
that bin, because sometimes bulbs are inadvertently mixed up.
Bulbs can be planted until late October, but plant early in September
for best establishment. Plant bulbs deeper than seed, usually three to
four times the diameter of the bulb. Bulbs prefer a sandy or clay loam
soil, but be sure to plant them two inches deeper in sandy soil.
After plants bloom the following spring, remove spent blossoms and apply
a general- purpose fertilizer at the rate of one-quarter pound per one-hundred
square feet.
Hybrid tulips that fail to bloom as a result of overcrowding should
be divided. Bulbs can be dug and divided at two times of the year. The
first is after the leaves have withered in late spring. Dig bulbs with
a spading fork and spread them out to dry for several days. Sort by size
and discard any soft, mushy bulbs, or bulbs that have mechanical damage
from digging. Store the bulbs in a well ventilated, cool, dry place until
they're ready to be planted in the fall.
Bulbs can also be divided in mid to late August. Dig, sort and plant
as usual, but plant only the best.
There are many bulbs to choose from including tulips, which are available
with an early, mid or late-season bloom. Daffodils or narcissus also offer
a variety of height, colors, flower types, and blooming periods. Typically,
daffodils can be left in the ground for many years. They are deer resistant,
which makes them ideal if you have frequent visitors to your garden.
Crocus are also associated with spring. This early bloomer -- the first
harbinger of spring -- is available in many colors. Crocus make an excellent
garden edging, can be massed together for effect, or randomly planted in
the turf.
Other early bloomers include snowdrop, grape hyacinth and scilla.
See also:
Bulbs: alliums
Bulbs: bed preparation
Bulbs: colchicum
Bulbs: fall flowering crocus
Bulbs: fertilizing
Bulbs: maintaining
Bulbs: selecting
Bulbs: summer flowering
Painting by Pio Carlone
Garden Notes - Main Index
