After a long winter season, the first spring flowers are something to celebrate and among the earliest spring bloomers are crocus, followed soon after by tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Each of these brings vibrant colors and delightful scents to your garden, often before other plants have started to wake up.
These early bloomers have one thing in common: they grow from bulbs and to enjoy their colorful flowers in the spring, you need to know the best practices for planting and caring for them.
Tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths are known as hardy bulbs. You may also hear them referred to as autumn planting bulbs. They’re different from tender bulbs such as dahlias and gladiolus. Hardy bulbs stay in the ground year-round. In addition, hardy, spring blooming bulbs require a period of cool temperatures to establish roots before the ground freezes, making fall the right time to plant.
Start the planting process by choosing bulbs that are firm and light tan in color. Save the tag or mark the bag so you will remember the variety. Observe the bloom time as noted on the box.
If you want a succession of spring colors, choose some from varieties that are marked early, mid and late blooming. Actual bloom time is dependent on where you plant your bulbs and how deep you plant them. Bulbs planted near a fence or foundation are going to bloom sooner because the reflected heat warms the soil up.
Hint. If your bulbs are coming up too early or you want to slow the bloom time, add 2" to 3" of mulch to the bed.
Where you plant your bulbs is important. Bulbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight to bloom properly. A dedicated bed makes a stunning sight in the spring.
In addition to an exclusive bed or two, you could plant along borders or in a normally shady spot such as near a shrub or amongst perennials. Crocus and early season tulips will have bloomed before the perennials and shrubs begin to leaf out in the spring. An alternative would be to plant bulbs in pots and move the containers to the sunniest spot in your garden.
As with anything you plant, better soil equals better results, so take time to add amendments to the ground where your bulbs will be planted. For the best results, choose soil amendments that are produced locally, such as organic Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost or Cow and Compost. You can use a spade or garden fork to prepare the ground.
To help your bulbs establish strong roots, add some bone meal to the ground before you place your bulbs, so the roots will grow into the fertilizer.
Augers and bulb planters are handy tools to have when you're planting your bulbs, especially around existing perennials and shrubs. Bulb planters work best when you’re using them in amended soil.
Once the site is prepared, place the bulb in the ground with the pointed side up, roots down. With smaller bulbs it may be difficult to tell which side goes up.
One side will generally be flatter than the other. Place the flat side down. As a rule, plant the bulbs three times their height. A 2" tall bulb should be buried 6" deep. Cover the bulbs and mark the spot where they are planted. Water the site thoroughly. Check on your bulbs through the winter and water as necessary.
For the best results, plant bulbs in groups. Clustering bulbs will bring color and interest to the spring garden and make it easier for early foragers.
In addition to crocus, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths don’t overlook specialty bulbs such as dwarf iris and Dutch iris, allium and muscari. Planted now, these hardy bulbs will bring color to your spring garden for many seasons to come.
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