As I mentioned on my previous article about spring bulbs, you have until the first frost in your area to plant them. If you ordered and received your desired bulbs, it is time to plant them. You will notice that the bulbs you receive will be dormant which is normal but you should plant them right away in your garden. If you cannot plant them as soon as possible, open the package they came in and let them get some air, place them in an area without direct sunlight and make sure the room is cool at all times. Another idea is to place them in the fridge until you are ready to plant them.

Nutrient rich soil is essential for your bulbs to thrive but make sure there is good drainage also. Although bulbs, like any other perennial, need lots of water it is necessary for the soil to drain properly. Take a good look at the soil in your garden and if you see water that just sits there add some more soil to the area. You can also put in a layer of gravel below the surface of the soil to promote good drainage. All of this can be done for your spring flowering bulbs but summer blooming ones are not really fussy about the soil as long as the soil is loose and has enough nutrients to help the bulbs thrive.

One of the questions most people ask when planting bulbs for the first time is which end of the bulb goes up. If the bulbs you ordered have pointed tips, or sprouts on the upper sides, (tulips, daffodils, tubers and rhizomes are included here) be sure to plant them with the tips or sprouts on top facing upward. It is through those tips or sprouts that the plants begin to grow. If you purchased bulbs like anemones or poppy, you will notice that the bulbs are much smaller and don’t really have a tip or sprout. These bulbs can be planted in any direction. Watch this youtube video to see how easy it is to plant bulbs.

Many gardeners believe that planting bulbs in masses is the best method for outstanding results. I do agree with that theory because planting them in masses gives you a gorgeous display of flowers when in full bloom. Survey your garden area and space bulbs according to their size. For example, tulips and daffodils are considered large bulbs and should be spaced at least 3 to 6 inches apart. If you have small bulbs like snowdrops or crocus, space them 1 to 2 inches apart. If you are trying mass planting for an entire bed, you can spade the whole area and then dig out at least 8” of soil from the bed.

Once your bulbs are planted, be sure to water them as this will help the soil to settle and provide moisture. One thing to remember is that bulbs that are planted in the fall must root before cold weather hits your area. It is recommended that you plant your bulbs when the soil temperature is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit at a depth of about 6 inches. Place the bulbs on top of the bed and cover them with soil. You can also plant small groups of bulbs by simply using a garden tool like a trowel and digging a hole a bit larger than the bulb and covering it with soil. For best results, do read the instructions that come with your bulbs!

 

Here are some other flower gardening sites that I found for you to browse. Thanks for visiting Best Flower Gardening!

Wild Word Garden - MSN Games - Free Online Games
washingtonpost.com: Style Live: Style
Flower Gardening : How to Grow Peonies From Seed - YouTube
Flickr: Discussing Welcome New Members in My Garden
Flower Gardening Tips : How to Grow Common Sunflower ...
Gardening made easy and deliciously inexpensive - USATODAY.com

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