2017-10-01 Birds & Bloom

OCTOBER (^) I NOVEMBER 2017 birdsandblooms.com 45
IN THE GROUND THEY GO
You chose the best bulbs. Now you’re
ready to dig in with confidence.
Time it right. Plant spring-blooming bulbs
too early and they won’t bloom; plant too late
and they won’t take root and establish. Ideally,
bulbs should be planted at least six weeks
before the ground freezes, when temperatures
are cool. In the upper Midwest, for instance,
that could be from about late September
through mid-November.
Location, location. Choose the right real estate
for your bulbs and be rewarded with healthy,
long-lasting blooms. Must-have amenities: full
sun and well-draining soil. Bulbs don’t like
wet feet, so avoid areas where water gathers,
such as the bottom of a slope. Make sure to also
provide a little distance from established plants
because bulbs are known to multiply.
Keep them organized. Once bulbs are removed
from their packages, chances are you won’t be
able to tell which is which. Keep them contained,
labeled or sorted until you’re ready to plant.
Dig deep. Check packaging for specific planting
instructions. If unsure, dig a hole that’s two to
three times deeper than the bulb’s height. For
example, plant a 2-inch-high bulb about
6 inches deep. Many garden tools designed for
this type of planting provide measurement
markers. (Hint: Speaking of tools, a bulb auger
is ideal if you plan to plant a bevy this fall.)
Give soil the spa treatment. Break up any
clumps, remove rocks and weeds, and improve
drainage and overall quality by mixing in
organic matter such as compost or peat moss.
The easiest way to do this is to dig one large hole
instead of several individual ones. Then mix in
amendments all at once.
Plant for success. Plant a bulb pointy side up,
roots down, but whatever side is up, it will most
likely find its way through the soil in spring.
After planting, tamp down the soil lightly, water
well and cover with a couple of inches of mulch.
A combination of
warm-colored orange
tulips and cool-colored
grape hyacinths
makes a big impact
when planted in waves.