| I am planting bulbs for the first time and I would like to know which bulbs would flourish best in my climate area, when is the best time to plant, which ones should I be thinking of to plant, where is the best place in my yard to plant them and should I add anything to the soil when I plant the bulbs? Thank you for your help! |
| Bulbs are such a rewarding garden investment, since you plant them in the fall and get gratification with blooms the next spring! You can grow most spring flowering bulbs: daffodils and narcissus, tulips, crocus, anemone, snowdrops, scilla, allium, hyacinth, iris, etc. Bulbs must be planted quite deep. Anemone (windflower) needs a relatively shallow hole (2" deep), and tulips and daffodils do best planted at least 6" deep. If your soil is very shallow or rocky, you can plant bulbs less deeply, but they may not survive as long. Rich, well-drained soil in full sun is best. Most species tolerate part shade, but won't grow and bloom as strongly. Many gardeners like to add a special bulb-boosting fertilizer to the soil at planting time (mid- to late fall), or you can fertilize the plants when they start to bloom in the spring. A 5-10-10 fertilizer and topdressing of compost is a very good feeding for the plants. Allow bulb foliage to brown and fade naturally, since the leaves are feeding the bulb in the ground. Removal of foliage weakens the bulb and leads to fewer blooms the following year. Enjoy your bulb garden! |
