Fall
Planting for Spring Bulbs
Spring
Flowering Bulbs
Spring flowering bulbs are hardy plants
that require minimum care. They provide color in the garden at a time
when few other plants are in bloom. Since there are early, mid-spring
and late spring flowering bulbs available, careful planning can achieve
a colorful display from early March through May.
Bulb
Planting Tips
Good
drainage essential In
heavy clay soils, work soil deeply and amend with peat moss or composted
manure. Raised beds are perfect for bulbs providing excellent drainage.
If this is not possible, try planting bulbs at a shallower depth than
recommended to help prevent rot.
Planting
time
Spring
flowering bulbs (crocus, hyacinths, daffodils etc.) can be planted
anytime after the first frost usually in late September until the
ground is frozen. Wait to plant tulips, however, until late October
to prevent them from sprouting.
Planting
depth As
a general rule, plant bulbs twice as deep as their greatest diameter
in
medium to heavy soils. In sandy soils, plant three times as deep.
Plant the pointed end up and the flat side down. Water in well to
encourage root development.
Location
Most bulbs
need full sunlight. Select a planting site that will provide at least
six hours of direct sunlight per day. Early blooming bulbs can be
planted under the canopy of deciduous trees. Combine bulbs with low
growing groundcovers, plant in the perennial border or tuck groups
of bulbs among shrubs. Daylilies and hostas make great bulb partners,
masking the dying foliage and providing a second show of their own.
Layering
Bulbs
always look best planted in groups rather than singly, but why not
try an additional technique called layering? Get more bloom in the
same space by planting different varieties of bulbs on top of each
other at their respective proper planting depth. For example, plant
a cluster of daffodils at 6” deep, glory-of-the-snow at 4” deep and
crocus at 2” deep. You’ll have a fantastic spring show!
Fertilizing.
Mix bulb fertilizer
or “bulb booster” into the soil when planting to promote fall root
development and spring flowering. Thereafter, fertilize before flowering
in spring to support foliage and increase bulb size.
Spring
Care Remove
faded blooms to eliminate seed formation which reduces bulb growth.
Allow foliage to die back naturally. Foliage can be removed when it
has yellowed and fallen over.
Allisonville Nursery
garden
center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone
317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948
We are not
a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.
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