For beautiful spring flowers, plant bulbs in the fall, when the soil cools. Pick healthy bulbs and plant them deeply, tips pointing up. Then just wait for spring!
Nothing says “spring is here” like the emergence of cheery flowering bulbs. Daffodils (Narcissus sp.) and tulips (Tulipa sp.) leap up and explode with color; crocus (Crocus sativus) and hyacinth (Hyacinthus sp.) greet the warming weather. However, the time to think about planting these beauties is not when spring appears but it is in the fall before.
When choosing bulbs to plant, be sure and pick healthy-looking specimens. Do not choose bulbs that have withered or molded. You want round, firm bulbs that are large for their type. Deciding what types of bulbs to plant can be a fun plan to make. Think about the space you have and the color palette you want to create. You can plant bulbs that bloom at different times, for a succession of color throughout the spring. Most flowering bulbs prefer full sun so plan your planting location accordingly. However, keep in mind that many bulbs flower before trees have fully leafed out so many spaces are available for planting!
Bulbs root best in cool soil. It’s best to wait until the temperatures stay between 40-50°F at night but make sure to plant them about six weeks before the ground freezes, so they have a chance to establish roots. The planting depth depends on the size of the bulb, approximately 3 times as deep as the bulb’s diameter. For example, daffodils should be planted about 6 to 8 inches deep. Be sure to point the root hairs or the flat end towards the soil and the pointed tip of the bulb toward the sky, to allow for proper rooting and sprouting. Cover the bulbs with soil and water in deeply. You may want to add a fertilizer, at this time, to encourage new root growth. As the weather gets colder, place 2 inches of mulch (leaves, pine needles, straw, etc) to the top of bulbs, to insulate them for the winter. You may want to mark and label the places where you have planted bulbs so you can remember and watch out for them in the spring. The forgetful gardener may try and plant something else there so it’s good to have everything in the garden well-marked!
Many bulbs multiply and spread over time and can leave the original planting spot overcrowded. To move or divide flowering bulbs, do it when they enter their dormant period, after the foliage completely dies back in late spring or early summer. Take the smaller, new bulbs and let them dry. They can be saved in a cool, dry place until the soil cools in the fall, when they can be planted in a new spot.
For beautiful deep-blue bulbs in early spring, try the blue siberian scilla (Scilla siberica). It will grow well in our climate and emerge about the same time as the daffodils. Many varieties of tulips will flourish here as well. For a vision in white, try planting the emperor tulip (Tulipa fosteriana).
Spring bulbs bring brightness and beauty to the garden, letting everyone know, in no uncertain terms, that winter is over! Choose and plant wisely to ensure spring color and cheer, year after year.
