Master Gardener Paul James, host of HGTV's Gardening by the Yard, explains some of the basics of growing bulbs. Spring-flowering bulbs--daffodils, tulips, crocuses and hyacinths--are among the easiest and most affordable plants to grow . Nurseries often put bulbs on display in late summer, several weeks before it's time to plant. Check with the staff for the ideal planting time. If you buy before planting time, store bulbs in a cool, dry place. Spring-flowering bulbs need a minimum number of in-ground days of cold temperatures in order to bloom properly. Ideally the soil temperature 6" below the surface should be 60 degrees or lower, which means that the ideal planting time varies greatly from one part of the country to the next: * Gardeners in USDA hardiness Zones 2 and 3 should plant bulbs in September * in Zones 4 and 5, October * in Zones 6 and 7, November * in Zone 8, December. South of Zone 8 you may need to chill bulbs in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator for 12 to 20 weeks to give them sufficient chilling time to perform properly. Or you can purchase prechilled bulbs from nurseries for a slightly higher cost. If you miss the ideal planting time, you can still plant--but the later the bulbs go in the ground, the later the blooms will appear the following spring and the greater the chances that some of the embryonic flower buds within the bulbs won't survive. Late-planted bulbs tend to produce flowers with shorter stems. When shopping for bulbs, remember that bigger is better--and also more expensive. Always purchase the largest bulbs you can afford. Bigger bulbs mean bigger flowers. Inspect bulbs carefully: loose skins or coverings are okay, but you should pass on bulbs that have soft spots or signs of rot. Healthy bulbs feel solid and heavy for their size. Almost all spring-flowering bulbs require full sun when they're actively growing. By the time they go dormant, they can tolerate full shade. To produce picture-book flowers, bulbs must be grown in a loose, rich soil that drains well. Loosen heavy or compacted soil with a pitchfork, and add plenty of compost or shredded leaves. Specific depths for various types of bulbs can be misleading, so stick with the general rule for planting depth, which is three to four times the height of the bulb. The easiest ways to plant bulbs are by digging individual holes and by preparing a bed in which several bulbs can be planted at once. To plant individual bulbs, use a specially designed bulb planter--a hand-held model, which you push into the ground, twist and lift, or a larger version that allows you to stand while digging holes. Once you've created a hole, place the bulb in it, pointed side up, and push the soil out of the planter to cover. Bulb planters allow you to cut holes as much as 6" deep. A trowel works well also, especially with small bulbs such as crocuses and grape hyacinths. Stab the trowel into the ground, pull it toward you, drop a bulb in the hole and firm the soil. To plant several bulbs at once, space large bulbs roughly 6" apart and smaller bulbs 2" to 3" apart. Cover with soil. You can use this planting method to grow different types of bulbs in the same area. For instance, you could plant a few daffodils first, then cover with a few inches of soil, plant a few crocuses and cover with more soil. The crocuses will bloom first, and the daffodils will follow shortly thereafter. You can also use this method to combine spring-, summer- and fall-flowering bulbs for three seasons of color in the same bed. Plant bulbs in groups of at least six, or plant a whole bunch for a naturalized effect by placing a few dozen bulbs in a sack, tossing them on the ground and planting them where they fall. Many bulbs will thrive for years without any care. But a little attention never hurts. After planting, apply a 2" to 3" layer of mulch to maintain even soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the area well watered to encourage bulbs to develop strong root systems. You can purchase fertilizers especially formulated for bulbs (e.g., Bulb Booster) or make your own at home. Mix equal parts of blood meal, bone meal and greensand, and apply at the rate of 5 pounds per 100 square feet before the foliage begins to emerge in fall or early winter. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the soil or mulch, and water well. Or simply pull back the mulch, and top-dress the planting area with 1" of compost each spring and fall. Once the bulbs' foliage begins to fade, allow it to die back naturally so the plant can continue to photosynthesize and produce food for next year's growth. Don't braid the foliage or tie it with rubber bands. Remember to deadhead tulips and daffodils after they bloom. Be prepared to dig and divide daffodils about every 10 years.
RESOURCES :
For tools from the Gardener's Supply Co.
Gardener's Supply Company
Burlington, VT 05401-2850
Fax: 800-551-6712 -or- 80
Email: info@gardeners.com
Website: www.gardeners.com
For bulbs from Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: 804-693-3966
Fax: 804-693-9436
Website: http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
For bulbs from the Van Bourgondien Brothers
Van Bourgondien Brothers
Babylon, NY 11702-9004
Phone: 516-669-3500
Fax: 516-669-1228
Email: blooms@dutchbulbs.com
Website: http:www.dutchbulbs.com
For bulbs from Dutch Gardens
Dutch Gardens
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Email: info@dutchgardens.com
Website: http://www.dutchgardens.com
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