GARDENING: Bring on the bulbs
Plant ‘em and forget ‘em. Well...almost. Spring flowering bulbs are some of the easiest flowers to grow and they give carefree color.
Success with spring bulbs will depend on the selection of good, healthy, high quality bulbs. Second-rate or bargain bulbs or bulbs stored in poor conditions will produce second-rate flowers producing a first-rate disappointment. In general, big, healthy bulbs produce big flowers and a dramatic display. So, in the case of bulbs, “the bigger...the better,” holds true. Bulbs stored or displayed in areas where the air temperature gets to ninety or higher can be damaged, killing the flower bud inside the structure. So, consider this when selecting bulbs.
Not all bulbs species and varieties will repeat bloom in our USDA Zone 7b winters. Many bulbs are native to cold winter areas and our winters do not provide enough chilling to initiate future flower buds. The first year might be great but the following year may have fewer and smaller flowers until eventually all you get are leaves. Tulips and Dutch hyacinths are two such bulbs and should be treated as annual and not perennial bulbs. There are however many bulbs that are successful and do return each year in our area, like many daffodils and jonquils which are in the Narcissus genus. Species tulips, grape hyacinths, Ipheion, Dutch iris, and Summer Snowflakes are a few more to add to the list.
Bulbs should be planted anytime the soil temperatures are below 60 degrees. Since our soils rarely freeze, planting during November and early December generally give good results. If the soils are too warm to plant when you buy your bulbs, store them in a cool, dark, dry location. If they are bulbs that need high chilling, you can store them in the refrigerator at 40 degrees in the crisper drawer of a refrigerator for 13 to 16 weeks depending on species. Of course...you need to start this process in August or September. It’s definitely not for the procrastinator or if you like to have food in your fridge rather than bulbs. Some companies pre-chill the bulbs for you, so that may be an option.
Bulbs need well drained soil and at least six hours of direct sun. Prepare the soil with several inches of organic matter worked into the top six to eight inches. Plant bulbs three to four times the depth of the bulb or look that information up. Space large bulbs about 3 to 6 inches apart and small bulbs one to two inches apart. Cover the bed with two to eight inches of mulch, which insulate the soil, maintain soil moisture and reduce weed growth.
Avoid disappointing results by selecting one or two species to be planted in drifts that are repeated in about three places throughout the landscape. Or you can plant a pocket in an accent area or close to the patio, window or other location you enjoy looking from. Containers work too.
Water bulbs once or twice a month to maintain soil moisture. Check with your finger to see if it needs water. When new growth and flowering begin, water is more important. As flowers begin to fade, clip the passing flower off to stop seed production but don’t remove the leaves. The leaves produce food for next year’s flowers. If you don’t like to look at the yellowing leaves, try interplanting bulbs with perennials or summer annuals to hide the ripening foliage.
Heirloom bulbs are especially fun and useful because they will multiply and give you years of easy color. So, try your hand at some easy bulbs this fall.
