Larry Mason, host of HGTV's Winter Gardening, gives advice on how to plan and plant a bulb bed. Begin by drawing a basic plan for the bulb garden. Bulbs require a rich, fast-draining soil. If your soil is not up to snuff, amend it with compost, river sand or peat moss (use peat only if your soil isn't overly acidic). A soil test is good insurance too; it will tell you the soil's pH level -- how acidic or alkaline it is -- and how to correct it as well as reveal any nutrient deficiencies. Good drainage is vital to ensure the health of your bulbs. Avoid planting in gullies or low spots where water collects; a gentle slope makes a good spot for bulbs. Place taller varieties and later-blooming bulbs -- for example, tall late tulips and camassia -- near the back of the planting bed. In the middle, plant midseason tulips and hyacinths. Shorter selections and earlier bloomers such as crocus and muscari should be planted toward the front. Lay the bulbs on top of the soil in the order they appear on the plan to see whether the plan works. After everything is spaced the way you want, it's time to plant. Use a bulb-planting tool, available at garden centers, to install the larger bulbs. Presuming the soil is loose and friable, you can plant smaller bulbs with the aid of a stick: poke a hole about 3" deep, place a crocus in the hole, and cover it up. Mulch the planted bed with a 2" to 3" layer of leaves, composted bark or pine needles. This will keep weeds down, slow moisture loss and stabilize the soil temperature. Tip: - Once you've drawn up your bulb planting plan, outline it on top of your planting area using sand or flour. Then lay out all the bulbs on the outlines, and plant them where they lie.
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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