Now’s the Time to Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

 

 

If you’ve been looking for ways to bring more color and interest to your spring garden, planting flowering bulbs is a great place to start. The keys to achieving this profusion of early season color is to get started now.  

 

Available in a rainbow of colors, these hardy bulbs start showing up in early spring when the crocus poke their heads up through the snow, followed soon by the daffodils and then a parade of tulips.  The best time to plant these flowering bulbs is now, in October. The soil temperature is cooler, but still warm enough to allow the bulbs to root before the ground freezes.

 

Begin by selecting quality bulbs. Choose bulbs that are firm and light tan in color. As you’re selecting your hardy bulbs, consider bloom time. Planting combinations of early, mid, and late-season bulbs will extend the spring flowering season. Save the tag or mark the bag so you will remember the variety. 

 

Crocuses are the earliest of the spring blooming bulbs, followed by daffodils, hyacinths and then tulips – early, mid, and late.  As a general guideline, early tulips will bloom late March to mid-April. Tulips marked mid-season will bloom mid-April to early May. Tulips labeled late will bloom from early to mid-May. Bloom time can vary depending on where bulbs are planted in the landscape as well as how deep they’re planted.

 

For example, the soil around a sunny area near a foundation will warm up sooner that other places in the garden and bulbs may begin to emerge. If this happens, throw a 5” to 6” layer of mulch on the planting bed. This will keep the soil cooler and slow bulb growth.

 

 

For added interest, consider a few of the specialty bulbs such as Anemones, or Grape Hyacinths.

 

Bulbs are available in individual containers or as pre-packaged assortments. Loose-packed bulbs allow you to mix and match color, height, and bloom time. Pre-packed bulbs are convenient.  The arrangement is ready for you to take home and plant. That said, choosing from containers allows you to select each bulb individually. 

 

When planning your bulb garden, it’s important to decide whether you’re going to plant a formal bed or scatter the bulbs throughout your landscape for a more natural look. There are several advantages to planting your bulbs in your perennial beds or open spaces. You’ll be adding early color to an otherwise bare space in your gardens and as your perennials emerge, they’ll help mask the bulb foliage as it fades. 

 

Whether you choose a natural look or a more formal planting, your bulbs will bloom best if you plant them in a site where they’ll receive at least six hours of sunlight. Prepare the site by amending the existing soil with organic material. Plan to lay down two to three inches of amendments to the site, then mix thoroughly with the existing soil to a depth of six to seven inches. You can use a garden spade or garden fork to prepare the ground.  Once the site is prepared, you’re ready to plant your bulbs. A good rule of thumb is to plant each bulb pointed side up, at a depth that’s equal to three times the bulb’s height. In other words, a two-inch tall bulb should be planted six inches deep.  Spacing between bulbs should be about a bulb’s width apart.

 

This is a good time to add some Dutch Bulb Food, then cover the fertilizer lightly with soil. This allows the bulb to root into the fertilizer. Next, place eight or ten bulbs flat side down in the planting hole. Cover the bulbs with soil and water thoroughly. You may choose to plant some of your bulbs in existing perennial beds. In this case, a bulb planter or bulb auger allows you to easily dig a hole and plant your bulbs without disturbing any perennials or shrubs already planted there. Once planted, mark the spot and water the site thoroughly. Check on your bulbs through the winter. They should be watered every four to five weeks, along with the rest of the trees and shrubs in your landscape. Bulbs planted now will offer a profusion of spring color for many seasons to come.