Planting bulbs is a great way to add tons of seasonal color to garden beds and containers.
With the right mix of bulbs, you might have something blooming from late winter into fall.
Select Quality Bulbs
Bulb planting starts with high-quality bulbs.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Look for bulbs that are plump and firm.
Bulbs that are soft, mushy, or moldy are inferior and not worth planting.
Also, size matters.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
The bigger the bulbs, the better they bloom compared to smaller bulbs of the same variety.
Spots where water pools during the winter will cause the bulbs to rot.
Amend the Soil
Like most plants, bulbs appreciate well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Credit: David Goldberg
Before planting,work compost into the soil.
It is not recommended to add fertilizer to the hole at planting time.
Unlike compost that is worked into the soil, fertilizer may damage the bulb.
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The high concentration of salt in the fertilizer draws moisture from the bulb and risks burning it.
November when the soil temperatures have cooled.
Summer-blooming beauties such asdahliasandgladiolusare planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Generally, the hole should be two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall.
So if you have a 3-inch-tall bulb, dig a hole 6 to 9 inches deep.
However, not all bulbs have a discernible top.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
In those cases, look for the roots (sometimes the roots are very thin, almost hair-like).
That is the bottom side that goes down.
So try tossing them onto the ground and plant them where they fall.
Credit: Jacob Fox
That way, you’ll get twice the color in the same space.
Your bulbs will easily push up through it, but most weed seeds won’t.
A good watering also eliminates air pockets in the soil that could cause your bulbs to dry out.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Also, avoid using any lawn herbicides until the bulbs have gone completely dormant.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: William N. Hopkins
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Credit: Marty Baldwin
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Credit: Bob Stefko
