Landscape Care Tips: Fall Planting of Spring Flowering Bulbs

Planting spring flowering bulbs is not difficult. However, there are several steps and pointers that are critical to success. First of all you must plant them in the fall, preferably in October or November. Plant bulbs before very cold weather arrives so that they have at least two to four weeks to develop roots.

Planting Guidelines

1. Bulbs should be planted so their bottom is at a depth of two and a half times their diameter unless otherwise labeled by the grower.
2. Bulbs like sandy well-drained soil. So, if you don't have good soil, add a soil amendment like perlite or potting mix to the soil. Add about 30 percent to the soil you put back in the hole.

3. If the area is very wet or if it does not get spring sun, find another area. Bulbs will rot if soil is always saturated. If they don't get spring sun, they will not develop energy to rebloom the following year.

Grouping Bulbs

1. Because bulbs look best in groups, dig a shallow depression or a strip eight to twenty inches wide that can wind its way through a bed or along a walkway.
2. Place the bulbs at the bottom and cover with amended soil. However, you can also spot-plant five to eight bulbs between other plants. This looks great in rock gardens.

Bulb Fertilizer

1. At the time of planting, you must add a dry bulb fertilizer to the bottom of the hole and to the back-fill soil. You cannot add important nutrients, such as phosphorus, later so don't skip this step. Also, follow the label directions. If you add too much, you can damage the bulb.

An Expert's Technique

1. Another wonderful planting technique is to layer the bulbs in the same planting depression. You can start with larger bulbs at the bottom of a deep depression, add an inch or two of soil, and then plant another layer. That way you will get more color and possibly a longer bloom time. This works great in small yards where space is limited.
2. And, don't forget to plant annuals or perennials within bulb beds. This creates a three-season color spot in your landscape. It also helps to cover the old bulb stems and foliage in the late spring.
3. Finally, be sure to water well and add a few inches of mulch, such as barkdust or compost. Mulch insulates the bulbs against rapid temperature and moisture changes. Now you can sit back and wait till spring. And, don't forget to read my other sheet on proper care for spring flowering bulbs.

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