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Planting and Growing Bulbs |
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Articles, How-To's and Interviews -
DIY and How-To's
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Written by Jennifer Thompson
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Bulbs
are some of the easiest things to plant and grow, and they produce
some of the most vibrant and showiest flowers. The main things to
keep in mind when selecting and planting bulbs are when to plant,
how deep to plant, how much to water and what to do after they've
bloomed.
When
to Plant
When to plant depends on the bulb. Some bulbs can be planted in the
fall or winter, while others can't be planted until spring or summer.
When you buy your bulbs, look on the packaging for the ideal time
to plant. In general, spring-flowering bulbs are planted in the fall;
summer-flowering bulbs are planted in the spring; and fall-flowering
bulbs are planted n the summer. There are a few bulbs that need to
go through a winter chill before growing properly. This is fine if
you live in an area that gets cold enough and your bulbs are already
in the ground, but if that's not the case, you can chill these sorts
of bulbs in the refrigerator for 6 weeks or so to trick them into
thinking they had their winter. Daffodils are one such bulb.
How Deep to Plant
Again,
how deep to plant depends on the bulb. It's important to plant bulbs
at the correct depth for optimum performance. The packaging will
tell you how deep to plant your bulbs. I prefer not to plant bulbs
touching, so that if one gets rotten or mildews, it doesn't affect
any others nearby. However, I do tend to plant bulbs in masses, or
groups, in a wide hole, for a solid splash of color when they bloom.
Guidelines for some popular bulbs:
How
Much to Water
For most bulbs, it's enough to water them well
when you plant them and then not at all again until they've started
to poke through the dirt and later bloom. In colder areas, or
dry areas, you may want to cover the planting area with a layer
of mulch to protect the bulbs from extreme cold and help retain
water.
They've Bloomed - Now What?
 Don't cut back your bulbs or pull them out of the ground!
It's fine to cut the flowers to bring them indoors, but leave the
foliage to wilt and turn brown. The bulbs need this to nourish
themselves and recharge for next season. Do cut off the faded flowers,
so that the bulb can conserve its energy. Many bulbs will come
back year after year if left to rejuvenate in this way. I sometimes
fertilize my bulbs once, too, for some extra nutrients.
Enjoy your beautiful blooms!
Featured books at amazon.com:
The Plantfinder's Guide to Early Bulbs
Bulb Gardening with Derek Fell
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