Now's the Time to Plant Bulbs for Spring

[missmanors]

If you've been in any garden center lately, I'm sure you've seen the bins full of bulbs displayed. This is because now is the time for spring-blooming bulbs to be planted. After a long, cold winter, seeing my spring bulbs grow and bloom, always makes me feel so good, seeing the color spring up even though the air is still cool and often even some snow is still on the ground in patches.

Here are some tips for you, if you would also like to see the benefit of having done some gardening in the fall, planting those spring-blooming bulbs.

Always select bulbs that are large and firm, avoiding any that may be soft, moldy or already sprouting.

Plant your bulbs by early to mid-October which will allow them to establish a nice root system before the cold weather sets in. (the bulbs continue to develop roots as long as the soil temperature is above 40 degrees, so use this fact if your area's soil temperature is below 40 degrees much earlier than October). If you don't get your bulbs in by mid-October though, don't worry as long as the soil isn't frozen, go ahead and plant them, you should still be successful!

Any spring-flowering bulb needs to be in a full sun, location with well-drained soil.

The rule of thumb when planting bulbs, is that they normally need to be planted about 2-3 times as deep as they are in size. Follow the package directions for your particular bulb.

A mix of 5-10-5 fertilizer can be added to your soil, but be sure that you thoroughly mix the fertilizer into the soil.

Tulips and some other bulbs are a favorite of squirrels and chipmunks, so to keep the little critters out of your bulbs, you can either sprinkle a fairly thick layer of chicken grit or pea gravel over the soil after planting or even lay chicken wire directly over the planting bed until spring comes and the plants begin to sprout. Squirrels and chipmunks usually stay away from daffodils, so you don't have to worry so much if they are your plant of choice.

If you've planted summer bulbs, dig and store them before the ground freezes. These plants include gladiolas, canna rhizomes, dahlias, caladium, and tuberous begonias or any other tender bulb that you've planted.

Dry these bulbs before storing them, so dig them carefully in order to do so without cutting or bruising them. Then lay them out on a flat surface to air dry in a well-ventilated area. Clean off any mud or dirt that may still be on the bulbs, and after a week or two you can pack them loosely into some vermiculite, sphagnum, or dry sand on a tray or open cardboard box.

Storage temperatures for these bulbs: caladiums 55-60 degrees, begonias, gladiolas, dahlias and cannas around 40-45 degrees.

[flip_it_fast]

Thanks for all of the great tips. I have several bulbs that I need to dig up soon for the winter months ahead and several others that I will need to get into the ground soon.

When I dig up my bulbs for the winter I always clean them and let them dry out on newspaper. When they are ready for putting away I wrap them loosely in the newspaper and put them in a box. I store them in the cool basement for the winter. I am already looking forward to the beautiful blooms in the early spring! I hate the drabness of wintertime!

[badmomma]

Oh thank you for the reminder. It seems that I keep doing this too late. I didn't plan well last year and the bulbs I put in do come to bloom but don't last long. It seems that I planted them in a spot with too much sunlight. I will have to pull them this year and replant them in the spring.
Again thank you as you have saved me another disappointing year.