Don't trick yourself! Treat yourself with beautiful Spring color by planting the bulbs you want to see in full-bloom then, now. Here's how...
BULB LASAGNE: A RECIPE FOR FALL
All we can think of are pansies and mums. It’s that time of year, right? Well, yes. But don’t forget to think ahead!
Although we just entered fall, now is the time to think spring. The best time to plant bulbs to bloom for the spring is between October and November–right now! So while you’re repotting your container gardens with those pansies, mums and evergreens, be sure to grab a handful of your favorite bulbs while you’re at it. This way, by the time spring rolls around you’ll be in for a hands-free continuous and colorful blooming treat.
Plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Blooms
2014-09-20 13.27.40
Planting flower bulbs in fall is a fast and easy way to have beautiful flowers pop up in the spring. Just imagine: a little work now means that you’ll wake up one spring morning to a flower-filled garden! Bulbs are a favorite of both beginner and experienced gardeners because they are easy to plant and most require very little maintenance. Here are a few quick tips for planting bulbs:
Read the label and keep it with the bulbs up until the moment you plant. It’s the only way you can keep track of what you have so that when you start designing your spring garden, you can keep track of which plants and colors you are putting where.
Don’t plant bulbs in an area where water collects because they don’t like to sit in extremely wet places and they can rot under those conditions.
Make sure they get enough sun—bulbs like full sunshine.
Plant bulbs with the pointy end up and if you can’t discern the pointy end, check to see if there are any flattened or shriveled roots on one end, which would be the end that needs to point downwards.
Mix compost in the hole with the bulbs because like any plant, they enjoy well-drained and nutrient-rich soil.
Water bulbs well after you plant them to encourage them to send their roots out into the soil and start growing.
Selection of Spring Bulbs
When it comes to designing your spring garden, plant bulbs in clusters for the greatest impact, it gives a concentration of color that is impossible to miss! For a natural-looking drift effect, toss a handful of bulbs in the air and plant them wherever they land. Another fun technique to try is to do a “double-decker” effect where you plant small bulbs in a layer on top of larger bulbs. As long as they all flower at the same time, this will create a beautiful mixing of two flowers. You could also use this method with bulbs that will bloom at different times to ensure that you keep color in the garden bed as long as possible.
If you are interested in learning about planting bulbs this fall, don’t miss our class: Fall Bulbs for Spring Blooms on Thursday, September 25th, from 6pm - 7pm. Our experts will help you learn fall bulb planting so that you have a masterpiece garden come spring!
Fall Bulbs
The fall season is officially here, and down at Garden Supply, we are in full autumn mode. Not only is the Greenhouse bursting with fun fall and Halloween home decor and gift items, the Garden Center has also been fully loaded and re-stocked with glorious plants, just in time for your fall planting. It looks gorgeous down here. We've got all your fall favorites, whether it's mums or pansies, ornamental grasses or cabbages. We've got trees and shrubs and perennial tables full of bloom. There are cold weather vegetables for those of you who like to grow your own. And we also have a wonderful selection of fall bulbs that are sure to fill your gardens with flowers come spring.
Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower. In fall, it's important to get them into the ground before the ground freezes. This will give them time to develop strong roots.
Planting times vary, depending upon the climate zone, but as a general rule, planting earlier is better than later. Bulbs need to establish strong root systems, before the frosts of winter set in and the bulbs enter a new cycle in preparation for spring blooming. Remember to plant bulbs in an area that drains well and water newly planted bulbs to help those roots get going!
When digging holes for your bulbs, the general rule of thumb to follow is plant large bulbs 8 inches deep, and 6 inches apart and small bulbs 5 inches deep, 3 inches apart with all pointed ends up. Add fertilizer or bulb food before replacing soil. Top with 3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and protect the bulbs.
Come talk to our friendly experts about adding spring-blooming bulbs to your existing planting beds or pick up tips on naturalizing smaller bulbs directly in your sodded areas. Your efforts now will pay off with bounties of blossoms late next winter and well into spring.
Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you back here soon for more snippets from the garden.