When planting bulbs, timing is crucial. The best way to ensure a stunning spring garden is to plant the bulbs in the fall. Bulbs that bloom in the spring do best if planted while the soil is still mildly moist and warm.
This allows the bulbs to establish themselves before the earth freezes. Bulbs need several weeks of cool weather in order to bloom well in the spring.
You should plant bulbs as soon as possible after buying them. This means that you will receive them at the appropriate time to plant them.
Spring is the best time to plant summer bulbs, including alliums, cannas, and agapanthus. This is when the earth is just starting to warm up. You should keep them at a temperature of at least 13 °C to germinate.
Planting in soil that is too cold or wet may result in rot. Spring bulbs are usually planted in the fall, between September and November.
Where to plant bulbs
Be sure to research the ideal soil and orientation for your selected bulb variety. Hardy bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, do well in a warm, sunny spot, while those native to cooler areas, like cardiocrinum, like a cooler, damp spot with spotted shade.
If you have thick clay soil, try using two buckets of coarse sand per square meter to loosen it up and make it easier to work with. To counter this, adding a lot of decomposed leaves or composted organic material can aid drainage.
To prevent your bulbs from rotting, use soil that drains well. Before the bulbs ever have a chance to send up shoots, they can rot if they get waterlogged over the winter season.
Tips for buying bulbs
Make sure you’re getting the nicest bulbs you can afford when spring rolls around. Catalog or online ordering will provide the most variety. It would be best to be careful to only get the highest quality bulbs while visiting your local garden center.
Weight of the bulb
The best way to get a feel for it is to pick up a few and compare them. However, if the bulb is excessively lightweight, it has likely dried out due to prolonged storage or excessive heat. Do not buy a dried bulb, as it cannot be rehydrated as a seed can.
Inspect the bulb surface
A thin, dry tunic protects most bulbs from drying out. While the tunics of some varieties stay securely in place when handled, others slip off. The bulb may still work, even if the tunic is gone.
Soft sections
The root system begins at the bottom, or basal plate. The texture must be consistently firm, never mushy.
Don’t buy the shriveled or damaged ones
Do not purchase damaged or shriveled bulbs, as they could potentially decay or dry out.
Bulb size
The size of the bulbs varies from cultivar to cultivar. When shopping, how do you decide what to purchase?
You can identify top-size ones by the phrase “top size” on the product’s packaging or in the catalog. In most cases, larger bulbs result in stronger spring blooms.
Moldy bulbs
Upon closer inspection, these bulbs may have minor imperfections, but they should still function well.
It should be acceptable if the bulb is flat and hard upon inspection and there’s no evidence of furry surface mold. You should replace the bulb if you’re unable to remove the mold by rubbing it.
Types of plant bulbs
There are two primary types of plant bulbs: those for the spring and those for the summer.
Summer bulbs:
These bulbs are also known as tender bulbs. Plant them in the spring and wait for them to bloom or produce leaves in the summer.
Common summer bulbs include elephant ears, lilies, gladiolus, and gladiolus. Some, such as dahlias, bloom later in the summer or into the season.
Planting summer bulbs is not recommended until the earth has warmed and there’s no longer a risk of frost. When not in use, keep them in a cool, dry place until planting time rolls around.
Spring bulbs:
These bulbs, known as “hardy bulbs,” can survive the winter outdoors in the ground and bloom in the spring.
The crocus, hyacinth, irises, allium, daffodils, and tulips are among the most widely planted spring bulbs. For these bulbs to emerge from dormancy and bloom beautifully, the weather must be cold for several weeks.
How to plant bulbs
You can plant bulbs in layers by digging a whole area to the right depth, scattering them around, and then covering it all back up.
You can also plant them individually by making holes for each one. An auger designed for bedding plants facilitates individual planting.
- Find out how deep you need to plant your bulbs. Flowers won’t blossom on time or at all if you plant them too deeply. Planting your seeds or saplings too deeply may cause them to emerge too quickly and be damaged by the cold. You should plant the bulb two to three times as deep as it is tall if you are still determining the appropriate planting depth.
- Loosen the soil and incorporate organic material (if necessary). This will help to increase its nutrient content or enhance its drainage (if necessary). Follow the package directions when using a specialized bulb fertilizer.
- Set the bulbs with the pointed end facing up and the roots facing down. Plant the bulb on its side if you are still determining which end is up; it will eventually emerge.
- You should use a little layer of soil and mulch.
- Make sure to give the newly planted bulbs plenty of water so they can establish themselves.
- To prevent animals from digging up your bulbs, place them in wire cages or bulb baskets, and then stake chicken wire or wire mesh over the beds.
Correct way to grow plant bulbs
It’s crucial to plant bulbs at the correct depth if you want to see blossoms when the time comes. If you plant your bulbs too deeply, they may send up leaves instead of flowers.
However, if you plant too many shallow bulbs, they are more likely to be dug up by accident. They can also be eaten by squirrels, who enjoy a healthy meal of freshly planted bulbs.