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Tips For Planting Fall Bulbs

From Your Home & Garden Showplace

No other types of plants will give the gardener more beauty, or a wider range of variety, color and flowering times than flowering bulbs. They produce flowers of incredible colors from one end of the growing season to the other. Nothing else will reward you with so much pleasure for so little effort... at least in your garden.

Planning Ahead

Color and time of bloom are two of the most important elements to consider when planning your bulb and garden planting. It can be very helpful to make a sketch of your garden before planting. Consider which bulbs to plant and where based upon height, sunlight, color and blooming time. Remember, most of the bulbs you plant in fall are hardy and can remain undisturbed for years while most of the bulbs you plant in spring are tender and must be dug up and stored before cold weather sets in.

Soil Preparation

Good soil preparation is the first step to successful bulb gardening. Make sure the soil is loose and porous. Well-drained soil is a must or else bulbs will rot. The soil should be turned over and organic matter, peat moss or a bulb nutrient (such as Bulb Booster) worked through to encourage root development.

Planting Depth

The depth of planting for bulbs depends on their size. A good rule of thumb is that the depth should be three times the diameter of the bulb. Small bulbs should be covered with 1-2-in. of soil while large bulbs should be planted 6-8-in. deep (see individual listings for specifics).

Spacing

The spacing of bulbs depends largely on the effect you are trying to achieve. The most effective planting technique is to plant most bulbs in clumps rather than in individual lines. Space bulbs according to color with the softer colors in the front and the more vibrant in the background. Group bulbs according to height and in sequential bloom pattern for a long-lasting show of color.

After Planting

Cover bulbs with soil, water well and mulch with shredded leaves. In the spring, when the first shoots appear, remove the mulch and sprinkle again with bulb food (Bulb Booster). This encourages the flowering and helps rebuild the bulb for the next year.

If the weather is dry, water the bulbs during their growing period. When the flowers begin to fade and before a seed pod forms, cut the flower heads... but be careful to leave the foliage to die back naturally.

Most spring-flowering bulbs do not have to be dug and stored in our region.

Some simple things to remember about bulbs:

• ALWAYS plant bulbs in borders or beds with good drainage. Planting bulbs in well-drained soil is vital and the most important instruction we can give you.
• DO NOT use any strong commercial fertilizer or fresh manure when planting bulbs.
• ALWAYS cut as little foliage as possible when cutting flowers from your bulbous plants. The leaves and foliage are essential for storing food for next year's blooming.
• ALWAYS let the foliage die back on its own in the garden before trimming it back or digging up the bulbs. Do not trim back healthy green foliage or the bulb will not perform well next year.
• NEVER dry bulbs in the sun, always in the shade in a well-ventilated area.
• ALWAYS store bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew. Do not store them in an air-tight container.